UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Aksum: political system, economics and culture, first to fourth century
13). Apart from leading armies in time of war, these neguses assumed
command of building operations. 9 Among the neguses, the inscriptions
name kings of four tribes of Bega (Beja), each ruling over about 1100
subjects (DAE 4: 19-2; DAE 6: 7-17; DAE 7: 6-18) and the ruler of
the Agabo principality whose subjects numbered scarcely more than
between 200 and 275 grown men, or a total of 1000-1500 persons. Vassal
kingdoms were situated on the Tigre plateau and in the region of Zula
Bay (Agago, Metin, Agame, etc.), beyond the Taqqaze river (Walqa'it,
Samen, Agaw), in the arid regions around the Ethiopian uplands (Agwezat)
and likewise in the Arabian peninsula. After Ezana's victory, these kingdoms
extended to Upper Nubia, between the Fourth Rapids and Sennar.
Certain vassal kings (for example those in southern Arabia and Upper
Nubia) possessed their own vassals - hereditary rulers of a lower rank.
A power-hierarchy was thus created, from the Aksum king of kings down to
the chiefs of separate communities.
Two methods of collecting tribute existed: either the vassal rulers (such
as Abraha, king of Himyar) sent a yearly tribute to Aksum, or the king
of Aksum, accompanied by a numerous retinue, travelled round his domains
gathering tribute and victuals for his attendants on the way. The vassal king
followed the same method. A compromise between these two methods
was achieved by the vassals delivering tribute at appointed stages along
the king's route.
The sources contain no information on the administrative system of
Aksum, which appears to have been poorly developed. Near relatives of the
king assumed an important part in the direction of affairs. It is understandable,
therefore, that the Roman emperor Constan tine II addressed his letter
not only to Ezana, but also to Sé'azana, his brother. ' ° Military expeditions
were led as a rule by the king, his brother, 11 or other kinsmen. 12 Armies
of less importance, commanded by army kings, were made up of warriors
from the communities or tribes; the expression 'my people', uttered by an
Aksum king, is synonymous with 'my armies'. 13
The rulers of Aksum settled warlike tribes along the borders of the
state: Abyssinians in southern Arabia; 14 four tribes of Bega in the Matlia
region, or in the Byrn land (which possibly lay in Begemdir) (DAE 4,
6, 7). Furthermore, the king of kings evidently had at his disposal an armed
retinue which in peacetime consisted of his court, but in wartime of his
guards (as in fourteenth-century Ethiopia). Apparently, court officials
carried out the functions of government, serving, for instance, as envoys.
9. A. J. Drewes, 1962, p. 65; A. A. Vasilyev, pp. 63-4.
10. J. P. Migne, p. 635.
n. DAE 4: 9; DAE 6: 3; DAE 7: 5.
12. Procopius, p. 275.
13. DAE 9: 12-34; D4E 10: 9-10, 23; DAE 11: 18, 30-5, 37-8; A. Caquot, 1965,
pp. 223-5; R - Schneider, 1974, pp. 771, 774, 778, 781, 783-4, 785; DAE 4; DAE 6; DAE 7.
14. Procopius, p. 274; A. Moberg, p. cv; Martyrium sancti Arethae et sociorum in civitate
Negran, Acta sanctorum, Octobris, T. X., Brussels, 1861, p. 7; G. Ryckmans, 1953.
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