Video Lesson

Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain pre Aksumit states ,punt and Da’mat.
• Identify The state of Punt and Da’mat in Ethiopian History.
• Analise political, economic and social development of Aksumite state.
• Stated the factors for the decline and the down fall of Aksumit state.
• Investigate the nature of the interaction between the Aksum, and the outside world.

Brainstorming Questions

• Do you know pre Aksumite states?
• What is the achievement of Aksumite state in Ethiopia?

Key Terms

A. The Pre-Aksumite States

1. Punt

Punt, often referred to as the “Land of Punt,” was an ancient state located in the Horn of Africa. Although its precise location remains uncertain, historians generally place it within the coastal regions of present-day Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

• Historical Significance: Punt is documented in Egyptian hieroglyphics, which indicate that it was situated south of Egypt and engaged in trade with Egypt since the third millennium BC. Trade routes traversed both land and sea.
• Economic Contributions: Punt was known for supplying valuable goods to Egypt, including gold from Ethiopia’s interior, ivory, animal skins, myrrh, ostrich feathers, and more. In exchange, the Egyptians sent tools and jewelry.

2. Emergence of Pre-Aksumite States

Around 1000 BC, several pre-Aksumite states emerged, contributing to the region’s historical complexity. Notable states include:

• Yeha: Located 30 km northeast of Aksum, Yeha is one of the oldest centers, likely emerging around 1000 BC as a trading hub for South Arabian merchants. Its peak prosperity occurred between 750 and 500 BC, as evidenced by remnants of its impressive stone architecture and inscriptions.
• Hawulti Melazo: Situated southeast of Aksum, this site features stone tablets and murals depicting cattle, revealing insights into the region’s agricultural and cultural practices.
• Damat: Positioned south of Aksum, Damat was active just before the rise of the Aksumite Kingdom. Inscriptions indicate that its rulers adopted South Arabian titles, suggesting trade and cultural exchanges with the Arabian Peninsula. Damat utilized the port of Adulis for maritime trade.

B. Aksumite Kingdom

1. Emergence and Characteristics

The Aksumite Kingdom arose in the first century AD, centered in the city of Aksum. The term “Aksum” is derived from the Agaw word for water (“Ak/ku”) and the Semitic word for chief (“sum/shum”), meaning “chief of water.”

• Cultural Fusion: Aksum’s civilization was characterized by the blending of Cushitic and Semitic cultures. The city became a political and religious nucleus, marked by monumental structures like the famous monolithic steles.

2. Economic Foundations

Aksum’s economy was predominantly agricultural, relying on plough farming. The kingdom had a well-defined social hierarchy, with tribute paid from the populace to the king.

• Trade Dynamics: The port of Adulis served as a vital trade hub, facilitating commerce with the Red Sea and beyond. The Aksumites minted coins in bronze, silver, and gold, enhancing trade efficiency. Ge’ez emerged as a written language during this period, reflecting cultural evolution influenced by earlier Sabean and Greek interactions.

3. Religious Beliefs

Before the introduction of Christianity in the 4th century AD and Islam in the 7th century, the Aksumites practiced indigenous religions. The Aksumite Kingdom maintained its significance as a center of civilization long after many of its contemporaries had declined.

4. Expansion and Decline

Initially a small state, Aksum expanded its territory significantly between the 4th and 6th centuries, extending beyond the Red Sea to southern Arabia and across to regions in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia.

• Decline Factors: The decline of Aksum began with the rise of Muslim control over the Red Sea and the destruction of the port of Adulis around 702 AD. Loss of trade routes led to a decrease in economic and military strength. Internal rebellions, particularly during the reign of King Kaleb (r. 500–535 AD), further weakened the state. By the late 9th century, Aksum retreated southward into areas predominantly inhabited by the Agaw people.