African Societies During the Classical Era

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African SocietiesDuring the Classical Era
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• During the Classical Period did the people of
  Africa think of themselves as African?
• Many different tribal groups
• Different cultures, societies, civilizations

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• What influence did Arabia have on Northeast
  Africa?
• Domesticated camel
• created a new way of life for the Berber peoples
• Nomadic and pastoral
• Made trans-Saharan travel commerce possible

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• Kingdom of Meroë

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• Women had positions of power
• Matrilineal descent power passed down through
  the mothers line
• Ruled as monarchs independent of
• male authority

Queen Amanishaketo
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• Very wealthy highly developed
• Extensive trade networks
• North/South East/West

-iron weapons-cotton cloth-other luxury goods
ivory, gold, ostrich feathers, tortoise shells
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• Decline of Kingdom of Meroë
• Deforestation
• Wood needed for charcoal for iron smelting
• Erosion from overgrazing
• Constant battles with nomads

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• Axum What led to its success?
• Highly productive agriculture
• Plow farming
• Wheat, barley, millet, teff
• Commerce in Red Sea
• and Indian Ocean
• Important port city
• Adulis
• Attracted merchants

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