Sankofa stage: Understand
From the 1st to the 8th century CE, the Kingdom of Aksum in northern Ethiopia was among the most powerful states between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Its fleets used the Red Sea port of Adulis.
What survives
- Carved stone stelae; the tallest still standing rises over 23 metres.
- Royal tombs and palace ruins of the 6th and 7th centuries.
- Inscriptions of King Ezana (4th century) in Greek, Sabaean and Ge’ez.
Why inscriptions matter
An inscription is a primary source: words from the time itself. Writing the same text in three languages shows who a king wanted to address.