Periplus of The Erythraean Sea - Aksum Empire (Eritrea and Ethiopia)

Aksum Empire (Eritrea and Ethiopia)

Aksum is mentioned in the Periplus as an important market place for ivory, which was exported throughout the ancient world:

"From that place to the city of the people called Auxumites there is a five days' journey more; to that place all the ivory is brought from the country beyond the Nile through the district called Cyeneum, and thence to Adulis." —Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chap.4

According to the Periplus, the ruler of Aksum in the 1st century AD was Zoscales, who, besides ruling in Aksum also held under his sway two harbours on the Red Sea: Adulis (near Massawa) and Avalites (Assab). He is also said to have been familiar with Greek literature:

"These places, from the Calf-Eaters to the other Berber country, are governed by Zoscales; who is miserly in his ways and always striving for more, but otherwise upright, and acquainted with Greek literature." —Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Chap.5