The Ancients The Kingdom of Aksum
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Jun 5, 2025 Dil Singh Basanti, an archaeologist and Aksum expert currently pursuing a PhD, brings the ancient Kingdom of Aksum to life. Hear how Ethiopian culture intricately ties to the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant. Discover the bustling trade networks in the fourth century that linked Aksum to India and beyond. Basanti reveals unique burial practices and monumental stele while exploring the cosmopolitan city of Adulis, where diverse religious beliefs thrived. Experience the intriguing interplay of commerce, culture, and spirituality that shaped this powerful empire.
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Aksum's Strategic Location and Reach
- The Kingdom of Aksum spanned northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, boasting strong connections across the Roman Mediterranean, India, Arabia, and Mesopotamia.
- It rose to power due to its strategic location on major trade and cultural routes in the first millennium AD.
Aksum's Deep and Complex Origins
- Archaeological evidence shows Aksum's origins predate previously thought South Arabian colonization around 800 BC.
- Early sites dating back 900-1600 BC reveal a complex interaction of local groups and migrants forming the cultural sphere that produced Aksum.
Aksum's Political Structure
- Aksum had a king called the Negus and a nobility that governed a hierarchical yet regionally decentralized polity.
- Kings and other rulers are known from inscriptions and coinage, revealing a complex political structure beyond just royal control.