Ancient Abyssinia and the History of the Ethiopian Empire

preview_player
Показать описание
The Horn of Africa is a region with a unique identity and vibrant history. Close to the Arabian Peninsula, it always stood out from the rest of the African continent. Today, the Horn of Africa is home to the modern nations of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia, comprising some 115 million people. Throughout centuries of rich history, Ethiopia has managed to persevere and preserve its identity, despite many pressures. Once known as the Ethiopian Empire, or Abyssinia, which existed from 1270 to 1974, it is one of the longest surviving empires in history and is defined by its distinctive character and a past filled with defining moments. Today we’ll be stepping back in time, as we recount the ancient and modern ages of the venerable Ethiopian Empire.

Ancient Origins of the Ethiopian Empire: The Rise of Aksum
The earliest origins of the Ethiopian Empire reach back before 1270. The story begins with the Kingdom of Aksum , also known as the Aksumite Empire , an ancient kingdom of great import in the classical world. Aksum was located in today’s northern Ethiopia, and flourished from about 80 BC to 825 AD. Taking its name from its key city, the capital called Axum, its strategic location played a crucial role in the trading routes of the ancient world, particularly between ancient India and the Roman Empire. In time, Axum grew in power and importance, and eclipsed the neighboring and older Kingdom of Kush.

The importance of Axum was well portrayed by the famous Persian prophet Mani, who said:

“There are four great Kingdoms on Earth: the first is the Kingdom of Babylon and Persia; the second is the Kingdom of Rome; the third is the Kingdom of the Aksumites; the fourth is the Kingdom of the Chinese .”

To the Greeks and the Romans, the Kingdom of Aksum was well known, as it was to the Arabs and the Persians as well. Aksum ascended to great heights thanks almost exclusively to trade. Commerce was the key factor that helped Axum evolve to become the capital of an empire. This can safely be ascribed to its proximity to the Red Sea and its trade routes, since all it had to do was successfully facilitate the growing need of the Greeks and the Romans for African goods. A major export of Axum was elephant ivory, which was a highly sought after commodity in the Mediterranean, Levant, and Persia.

Aksumite traders established far-reaching caravans that would travel into the African interior in order to procure more ivory. As Axum was located at key crossroads for trade traffic, it only sped up its prosperity. In time, Axum became the hotbed for a rising civilization with a unique character fed by a proper amalgam of indigenous African cultures infused with South Arabian character, as well as plenty of influences from the classical world of the Mediterranean.

Original article titled "Abyssinia and the Ethiopian Empire: The Ancient History of a Struggling Nation."

Become an Ancient Origins PREMIUM MEMBER:

THE ABOVE LINK IS OUR AFFILIATE LINK WHICH MEANS WE WILL EARN A SMALL COMMISION FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

Рекомендации по теме
Комментарии
Автор

To my dear subscribers, thank you all. You have my love and appreciation. Support Ancient Origins in the links above in the video description! My latest history merch! Sea Peoples meet Late Bronze Age humor! I thought this was pretty amusing.








Get your Sea Peoples | Late Bronze Age Merch below!





Get your Hittite Merch below!





Trojan War Merch Below!



To support the channel, become a Patron and make history matter!



Enjoy history merchandise? Check out affiliate link to SPQR Emporium!

*Disclaimer, the link above is an affiliate link which means we will earn a generous commission from your magnificent purchase, just another way to help out the channel!

Join our community!

Facebook Page:



studyofantiquityandthemidd
Автор

Italy, Britain, Turkey, and Egypt all fought Ethiopia during the 1800s. Italy was defeated, Turkey was defeated, Egypt was defeated, and Ethiopia was able to keep it's independence when the British invaded. Ethiopia was truly a powerful nation in the past.

tomg
Автор

Such a pity this skipped over Menelek III’s defeat of the Italian Army at the Battle of Adwa in 1889

jeffersonwright
Автор

I'm from Tanzania
And my tribe is nyaturu
History of our tribe tell us we're from Ethiopia and we're abssyinian
I love my people 💙and I would like to learn my origin language
And surely nyaturu people look like Ethiopian

gladnesssidiu
Автор

Man, Ethiopia is so fascinating to me, its flag and art are beautiful.
13:23 this is the independence of Brazil.

natanaeloliveira
Автор

Ethiopian King Memnon fought the Greek hero Achilles..Ethiopians an ancient people, and one of the earliest converts to Christianity, even before many in Europe..Well done, I’ve learned something new ..

peterroberts
Автор

Neglected to mention how the Portuguese were rebuffed because they wanted to introduce their version of ‘Christianity’ to the natives. Lol

jjw
Автор

Im a white European from the Netherlands and I study ancient civilizations and I’m especially interested in Noth East Africa. Ethiopia is way morally special then this video tells you. I’m raised Catholic and studied the Bible and found out that the people of the tribes of Israel were Ethiopians. The Ethiopian Royal families bloodline traces back to king David and Solomon from the tribe of Judah. The same tribe and bloodline as Maria and Jesus. Search for yourself and you found out that everything is connected with Ethiopia. From Israel, and ancient Kemet were all connected with Ethiopia. I know way more than I’m telling but only the real truth seekers know that Ethiopia is protected🙏 Long live Ethiopia

joeydrenth
Автор

I’m watching now, love what I’m seeing so far 🇪🇹!

damacx
Автор

*Finally a video about my Ethiopia* 😍😍

Zeyede_Seyum
Автор

Menelik 2nd of Ethiopia saved the Empire from colonization by defeating the Italians at the battle of Adwa. He also united and modernize the country in a succeful way better than Teodros or Yohanness combined. You missed Menelik to mention him at least in one sentence. I hope it may not be intentional.

tayegebreamlak
Автор

An ancient and fascinating civilization, and what handsome people!

kimberlyperrotis
Автор

Become an Ancient Origins PREMIUM MEMBER:
Get access to awesome lectures, books, talk to an expert and much more!

studyofantiquityandthemidd
Автор

I like the lesser known empires being covered.

Saorsa
Автор

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

philliplyn
Автор

I had no idea they'd been Christian for much of their history. Excellent presentation, thank you.

KeithShuler
Автор

I didn’t realize the Horn area was so densely populated, thanks, I learn from you all the time.

kimberlyperrotis
Автор

When saying 'Converted to Christianity', it's also important to mention from what religion. Hebrew was the official religion in Ethiopia before Christianity and once the King converted to Christianity there was a bitter war between those who converted along with King Ezana and those who refused to convert. The Ethiopian Jews you see in current Israeli are those who still survived and refused to convert.

DigitalDesignET
Автор

I was totally unaware of most of this information. Thanks a lot for another great post!

joeshmoe
Автор

Ethiopia the origin of humanity. Ethiopia has unique history, diverse culture and beautiful people. Long live Ethiopia 💚💛❤️✊🏿✊🏾💚🇪🇹

bsahle