Axum

Axum is a city in the northern part of Ethiopia. The town has a population of nearly 90,000 residents. It is governed as an urban woreda. It sits at an altitude of 2131 M in central Tigray. Certainly, Axum is Ethiopia’s ancient capital. Further more, was the holiest city of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Also, the former center of the “Axumite” Empire was Axum. The City was once home to the Queen of Sheba. One of the most important civilizations of its time. And a foremost might in world commerce between the first and seventh centuries.

The fourth century Axumite king, Ezana, converted to Christianity. The king made it the official religion of the empire. This help it spread south across what is modern Ethiopia. But, after the seventh century, the empire declined, prompting that Axumites. They began putting their churches out of sights on summits and hilltops. This was to keep them safe from the increasingly hostile neighbors.

The inhabitants of the city included fine architects, masons, and craftsmen. They were expert workers in stone. They were responsible for the erection of many fine palaces, temples, and churches, the ruins of which can be seen today. The people of old-time Axum also created the city’s remarkable stele. It was cut out of immense slabs of granite and have graced the ancient capital for nearly two millennia.