Government A- (Becca Evey)

            Axum was ruled through a monarchy, with its political leaders growing rich through trading with foreign nations. Because of its superior trading and military, Axum ruled surrounding nations. Axum’s political leaders built monuments throughout its reign and created elaborate burials for the royals.

            The Axum Empire lasted for about seven hundred to eight hundred years. Because of its strong military, they started interfering in South Arabian affairs, controlling the western Tihama region. They also conquered empires on the Arabian Peninsula across the Red Sea, making them pay Aksum regular payments. They also defeated Kush, who were already beginning to decline.

The Axum government was open to change. One of the most important changes was the acceptance of Christianity. Ezana was the first king to adopt Christianity as Axum’s main religion. They also changed and established a new currency and a new language. Since they had an open mind about change, the nation grew and developed.

The downfall of the Axum Empire can be attributed to the rising of Islam and the war between the Byzantium and Persia empires. The rising of Islam isolated the Axum Empire, with the Islamic Empire taking over the Red Sea. Axum wasn’t able to trade and was cut off from the rest of the Christian empires. The war between the Byzantium and Persia empires also badly hurt Axum’s trade, effectively leading the Axum Empire to its downfall.

I gave the Axum government an A- because they had a really good army, were open to change, and were smart traders. They didn’t, however, have many advancements and scholars.