The Axum Empire
The Axum Empire controlled a territory along the Red Sea that allowed them to prosper from trade. After defeating The Kush Kingdom, Axum was able to control trade into and out of much of Africa. Cargo ships from places such as Rome, India. Egypt, and Persia brought goods into The Axum Empire, and took things like ivory, to other parts of the known world. Around 330 A.D., the king of Axum was converted to Christianity by a pair of shipwrecked missionaries. This king declared that Christianity was to be the official religion of the nation. The Christian nation of Axum thrived until the A.D. 600's when Muslim raiders and bandits began seizing Axum goods and territory. Unable to adequately fight back, the Kingdom of Axum became smaller and less influential. Gradually, the people of Axum began calling their kingdom Ethiopia.