Social, Political, and Economic Structure

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia was a long established monarchy with the drive to spread Christianity and expand the kingdom. Groups of people competed for control of the valuable trade routes that linked the Ethiopian highlands to the Red Sea.

Art



 

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"Jesus Takes Up the Cross"

 

Ethiopian art and literature was greatly influenced by the Christian faith. The Zagwe Dynasty (around 1137-1270 CE) marked the highest point of Ethiopian art with the building/carving of the 11 churches in Lalibela. The 15th century though, was a period of great artistic achievement with the arrival of Western artists and artworks that encouraged the development of new stylistic trends.

A period of political tranquility, during the Solomonic Dynasty (around 1270-1770 CE), allowed for the pursuit of an ambitious program that used the power of visual culture to reaffirm the divine authority of the Ethiopian Emperor.

Religion

Christianity was brought to Axum by Syrian Christians, and in the 4th century CE, King Ezana converted to Christianity and officially declared it as the main religion of the kingdom of Ethiopia.



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Geography

Their location on the horn of Africa provided them with a natural channel for trade and communication in the Indian Ocean trading network.

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia: An Introduction

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia has its origins in the ancient civilization of Axum, Axum existing many years before the birth of Christ. Axum was first introduced to Christianity by means of extensive Indian Ocean commerce, which carried goods as well as culture along with their merchants. During the 13^th century, a local prince seized the throne and initiated the Zagwe Dynasty. In order to legitimate the rule of these new Zagwe monarchs, 11 underground churches carved out of the soft volcanic rock of the region were created in an attempt to recreate a holy city, like that of Jerusalem. The center of the kingdom moved from its original position in Axum southward into a region later known as Lalibela, named after a 13^th century king.

About the Author

      Murasaki Shikibu was born in 973 C.E. into the Fujiwara family during Japan's Heian Period. Daughter of a scholar and province governor, she was always very intelligent. Lady Murasaki, unlike many Japanese women, was fluent in Chinese and had learned Chinese classics, though it was considered improper at the time for women in Japan to do so. After giving birth to her only daughter in 999 C.E. and becoming a widow in 1001 C.E., Murasaki Shikibu was brought to the imperial court to serve as lady-in-waiting to Empress Shoshi because of her known intelligence and writing abilities. Lady Murasaki's best known works include The Tale of Genji and a diary she kept while serving in the imperial court titled, Diary of Lady Murasaki. Lady Murasaki is said to have died in either 1014 C.E. or 1025 C.E.

Demography and Technological Development (Jenne-Jeno, West Africa)

 

Jenne-Jeno covered about 25 acres and had a population between 7,000 and 10,000 people.

Iron metallurgy was an important technology in Jenne-Jeno since it was such a major part in its economy. There are no written documents that mention Jenne-Jeno by name until the mid-fifteenth century, which suggests that they had no written language.



Economics (Jenne-Jeno, West Africa)

The Niger River provided nutrients for successful farming, as well as clay for pottery, but iron, which was important since the economy of Jenne-Jeno thrived on iron metallurgy, had to be imported. The people of Jenne-Jeno traded grain, fish, and meats in return for salt, iron, and copper. Jenne-Jeno was an important center for trade. Boats were used to travel the Niger and donkeys were used to travel by land during long distance trade.

Social and Political Developments (Jenne-Jeno, West Africa)

Before the middle of the fifth century CE, there were little to no social organizational changes. The people of Jenne-Jeno lived in small settlements, separated by occupations, centered on a middle city. The city functioned in equality except segregated occupational groups that often intermarried. Jenne-Jeno was run very differently from most other places, without political authority or warfare.

Art (Jenne-Jeno, West Africa)

Ironworking provided many forms of jewlery and other decorative items in Jenne-Jeno. Extrodinary terracotta figurines depicting humans have also been found at the ruins of this city.



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Terracotta Figurine

Geography (Jenne-Jeno, West Africa)

The ancient city of Jenne-Jeno was located along the Niger River south of Timbuktu in present day Mali. The areas near the river that were subject to flooding, or the floodplain, were very suitable for farming.