What unique factor allowed both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states to rise and thrive as trade empires?
their military might
their military might
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 geographic locations
their geographic locations
Their geographic locations
The correct answer is their geographic locations. The Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states both had geographical advantages that allowed them to rise and thrive as trade empires.
To understand this, let's first look at the Axum Empire. Axum was located in what is present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, near the Red Sea. This location gave them easy access to trade routes between Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean. They were able to control the Red Sea trade routes, which played a crucial role in their economic success.
Similarly, the Swahili city-states were located along the eastern coast of Africa, from present-day Somalia to Mozambique. This region was strategically positioned at the crossroads of Indian Ocean trade routes. The city-states had access to valuable goods such as gold, ivory, spices, and slaves, which attracted merchants from other regions. The Swahili city-states became important trading hubs and developed a unique culture influenced by the interactions with traders from different parts of the world.
Therefore, the geographic locations of both the Axum Empire and the Swahili city-states provided them with advantageous positions along major trade routes, allowing them to engage in extensive commercial activities and establish themselves as prominent trade empires.