Questions: Ancient Northeast Africa: The Kingdoms of Kush and Aksum
4 questions to test your understanding
Score: 0 / 4
Question 1 Multiple Choice
What was the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty of Egypt?
AA line of Greek rulers after Alexander
BA line of Kushite kings from Nubia who ruled Egypt
CA line of Persian governors
DA line of Aksumite kings
In the 700s BCE the Kushite king Piye campaigned north and took control of Egypt. His successors, including Taharqa, ruled as pharaohs until the Assyrians drove them south in the 600s BCE.
Question 2 True / False
Aksum became Christian through contact with European missionaries in the 1500s.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
King Ezana adopted Christianity in the 300s CE, influenced by Frumentius, a Christian from the Roman world. His later coins carry the cross. This is more than a thousand years before European missionaries arrived.
Question 3 Short Answer
Why did Aksum grow wealthy?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: It controlled trade through the Red Sea port of Adulis, linking the Mediterranean world, Arabia and India, and exported goods such as ivory and gold.
Aksum's location let it tax and supply long-distance trade. Its minted coins in gold, silver and bronze show how deeply it took part in this commerce.
Question 4 Multiple Choice
Which city became the capital of Kush and a major center of iron production?
AThebes
BAdulis
CMeroë
DMemphis
Kush's royal center moved south to Meroë. The region had iron ore and wood for fuel, and large slag heaps there show heavy iron working. Thebes and Memphis were Egyptian cities, and Adulis was Aksum's port.