AKSUM

Aksum was an empire built on the remains of the old Kush empire. It was located in southern Ethiopia, which put it in a position to trade with the mediterranean, if not very directly.  They treaded salt, rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, ivory, emeralds, and gold in return for imported cloth, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron, and copper. Aksum peaked quickly, with its height in 325 to 360 AD when the ruler Ezana had control of the throne. His biggest accomplishment was the conquering of Kush, which had already begun it’s decline. By claiming Kush, he claimed it’s territory, which added largely to the empire. They had one major trading port, Adulis which attracted people from all over Egypt, Greece, Arabia, Rome, Persia, and India. They started as a islamic empire, but eventually became christian because a Syrian/christian tutor taught the future king, instilling in him christian values, which eventually turned the country to a christian religion. Ironically, Aksum eventually fell to an islamic conquest which had been controversial as Aksum had housed and sheltered Muhammed. Aksum did survive until 1970, the islamic conquest only damaging the empire, but it limped along almost to current day