Aksum

阿克苏姆考古遗址

🇮🇹 Ethiopia📅 1980 Inscribed

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The ruins of the ancient city of Aksum are found close to Ethiopia's northern border. They mark the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th century A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles. Long after its political decline in the 10th century, Ethiopian emperors continued to be crowned in Aksum.

Insight I

A monolithic obelisk symbolizes the height of the Kingdom of Aksum’s power in the late 3rd century.

Insight II

After the Kingdom of Aksum adopted Christianity under King Ezana, the construction of obelisks ceased.

Insight III

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea was the earliest text to mention Aksum's prosperity, noting its monopoly over Indian Ocean trade.

Insight IV

The tallest surviving obelisk was taken to Italy during the occupation of Ethiopia and was returned in 2005.