Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• Why was Aksum’s location important? How did it help the empire become powerful and wealthy? (Cause and Effect)
Aksum was built on land that was good for farming. That helped it produce goods to sell and trade. The empire was also located in the middle of several trade routes across land and sea that connected Egypt and Europe to the north with India and other parts of Asia to the east. That brought many traders and goods to the empire as it expanded and became a bustling trading hub.
• How did the accounts on the Ezana Stone vary? Why might they have been written differently for different audiences? (Critical Thinking)
The accounts were written in three languages: Greek, Ge‘ez, and Sabaean. The one in Greek, which was the common language for intercontinental trade, portrays Ezana as merciful and kind to the people in areas his army took control of. However, the other versions boast of the king and his military’s power in bloodier stories with murdered enemies and seized lands. The accounts were probably written differently because Ezana wanted people in his kingdom to respect his power but wanted people farther away to think that he would treat them fairly and be a good partner to work with.
• Write two questions and answers about the map. (Text Features)
Responses will vary.