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The north of Ethiopia was to be of world importance as an influential trading centre during the first seven centuries after the birth of Christ.

Centring on the city of Axum, today an important city on the Historic Route, and strategically situated near to the bottom of the Red Sea, it was a vital commercial crossroads between Egypt and the Mediterranean and the eastern countries of India and Ceylon. Exotic trade flourished in this richly fertile and agricultural area.

Exports from Axum included ivory, animal skins, rhino horn and frankincense while imports came from India, Arabia and Egypt and included wine, olive oil, iron and glassware.

During the greatest years of the Axumite Empire, coinage in bronze, silver and gold was produced, immense stone monuments were erected and Christianity was to be introduced to Ethiopia.

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