The Kingdoms of Kush and Aksum

The Kingdoms of Kush and Aksum

Define the following terms.

Corridor of Trade:

Maintain Cultural Ties:

External Trade:

Roots:

Conversion:

Erosion:
Decide whether each description is true about Kush, Aksum, or both kingdoms. Then write each item in the correct place on the chart.

Lay in rugged Ethiopian highlands.

Introduced Christianity into the region.

Ruled a unified Egypt in about 710 B.C.

Meroe may have been a center of ironwork.

Controlled important trade routes between the Red Sea and Egypt.

Located to the west of the Red Sea.

Kush	Both	Aksum

Choose the correct items from the following list to complete the statements below.

Ethiopian Church the Red Sea Napata

Meroe Nubia
1. The kingdom of Kush arose in the area known as .

2. The capital of Kush was , a city along the Nile and Karmah.

3. At the height of their civilization, the people of built pyramids.

4. Aksum controlled trade between inland Africa and .

5. King Ezana’s conversion laid the foundations of the .

For each of the following, write the letter of the best choice in the space provided.

1. 
   Why did the kingdom of Kush thrive?
   
   1. 
      It was located on an important corridor of trade.
      
   2. 
      It had deposits of silver, gold, and other minerals.
      
   3. 
      It was a great source of ivory.
      
   4. 
      It was located in Egypt.
      
2. 
   The wealth of Aksum increased as:
   
   1. 
      it became a military power.
      
   2. 
      the kingdom of Kush declined.
      
   3. 
      it gained more control of trade in eastern Africa.
      
   4. 
      all of the above.
      
3. 
   Christianity appealed to the people of Aksum because:
   
   1. 
      they were ready for a new religion.
      
   2. 
      it incorporated many of their traditions.
      
   3. 
      Ezana forced people to convert.
      
   4. 
      Constantine was a Christian ruler.
      
4. 
   Which of these is NOT a reason for the decline of Aksum?
   
   1. 
      Erosion made the land less productive.
      
   2. 
      Persians took over the Red Sea trade.
      
   3. 
      Islamic Arabs won control of the Red Sea.
      
   4. 
      Christianity lost its appeal among the people.
      

The Kingdoms of Kush and Aksum – Answers

Define the following terms.

Corridor of Trade: trade route.
Maintain Cultural Ties: share languages and customs.
External Trade: trade outside a region.
Roots: beginnings.
Conversion: change from one belief or religion to another.
Erosion: loss of soil due to flooding or wind.

Decide whether each description is true about Kush, Aksum, or both kingdoms. Then write each item in the correct place on the chart.

Lay in rugged Ethiopian highlands.

Introduced Christianity into the region.

Ruled a unified Egypt in about 710 B.C.

Meroe may have been a center of ironwork.

Controlled important trade routes between the Red Sea and Egypt.

Located to the west of the Red Sea.

Kush	Both	Aksum
Ruled a unified Egypt in about 710 B.C.	Located to the west of the Read Sea.	Lay in the rugged Ethiopian highlands.
Meroe may have been a center of ironwork.	Controlled important trade routes between the Red Sea and Egypt.	Introduced Christianity into the region.

Choose the correct items from the following list to complete the statements below.

Ethiopian Church the Red Sea Napata

Meroe Nubia
1. The kingdom of Kush arose in the area known as Nubia.

2. The capital of Kush was Napata, a city along the Nile and Karmah.

3. At the height of their civilization, the people of Meroe built pyramids.

4. Aksum controlled trade between inland Africa and the Red Sea.

5. King Ezana’s conversion laid the foundations of the Ethiopian Church.

For each of the following, write the letter of the best choice in the space provided.

1. 
   Why did the kingdom of Kush thrive?
   
   1. 
      It was located on an important corridor of trade.
      
   2. 
      It had deposits of silver, gold, and other minerals.
      
   3. 
      It was a great source of ivory.
      
   4. 
      It was located in Egypt.
      
2. 
   The wealth of Aksum increased as:
   
   1. 
      it became a military power.
      
   2. 
      the kingdom of Kush declined.
      
   3. 
      it gained more control of trade in eastern Africa.
      
   4. 
      all of the above.
      
3. 
   Christianity appealed to the people of Aksum because:
   
   1. 
      they were ready for a new religion.
      
   2. 
      it incorporated many of their traditions.
      
   3. 
      Ezana forced people to convert.
      
   4. 
      Constantine was a Christian ruler.
      
4. 
   Which of these is NOT a reason for the decline of Aksum?
   
   1. 
      Erosion made the land less productive.
      
   2. 
      Persians took over the Red Sea trade.
      
   3. 
      Islamic Arabs won control of the Red Sea.
      
   4. 
      Christianity lost its appeal among the people.