What unique factor allowed both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states to rise and thrive as trade empires?(1 point)
Responses
the lack of languages in the region
the lack of languages in the region
the abundance of goods to trade
the abundance of goods to trade
their military might
their military might
their geographic locations
their geographic locations
Their geographic locations
The unique factor that allowed both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states to rise and thrive as trade empires was their geographic locations. Geography played a crucial role in shaping the trade networks of these regions.
To understand this, let's break it down step by step:
1. Axum Empire: Located in present-day Ethiopia, the Axum Empire was strategically positioned near the Red Sea. This allowed them to establish trade routes that connected Africa with the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and the Roman Empire. The empire became a major trading hub for goods like ivory, gold, spices, and precious stones that were in high demand. The empire's location facilitated both land-based and maritime trade, making it a significant player in international commerce.
2. Swahili city-states: The Swahili city-states were located along the eastern coast of Africa, stretching from present-day Somalia to Mozambique. These city-states, including Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, were ideally situated along the Indian Ocean trade routes. Their location allowed them to serve as intermediaries between the African interior and the trading networks of India, the Arabian Peninsula, and East Asia. The Swahili city-states became centers for the exchange of goods like gold, ivory, spices, slaves, and luxury items like porcelain and silk.
So, in summary, the geographic locations of both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states provided them with access to important trade routes, which allowed them to benefit from the abundance of goods available for trade and fostered their rise as thriving trade empires.