The choice of Aksum as a metropolis

Aksum's strategic location, nestled away from the Red Sea within the Tigray Plateau and near the western escarpment, played a pivotal role in its rise as a metropolis during the early 1st century CE. This positioning allowed the Aksumite state to harness abundant agricultural, geological, floral, and faunal resources from the surrounding lowlands and highlands. The study suggests that local factors, including competition among leaders for fertile lands, were primary drivers behind Aksum's selection as the capital, leading to the formation of a centralized administration. Hagos (2010) supports this with historical analysis, highlighting how these dynamics shaped the political landscape of the Aksumite civilization.

Hagos, T. (2010). The choice of Aksum as a metropolis. Annales d’Ethiopie, 25(1), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.3406/ethio.2010.1411