The Axumite Civilization, situated in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea, was an ancient kingdom known for its strategic location along trade routes connecting Africa to the Middle East and Asia. Flourishing during the first millennium CE, Axum prospered through trade in commodities like ivory, gold, and precious stones. Notably, it became one of the earliest Christian states in the 4th century, with the Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum holding religious significance. The Aksumites are renowned for their towering obelisks or stelae, marking tombs and symbolizing royal power. Associated with the legendary Queen of Sheba, Axum had trade relations with the Byzantine Empire, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. Despite its early Christian legacy and trade dominance, the decline of Axum by the 7th century is attributed to factors like shifting trade routes and the rise of Islamic powers, leaving behind a historical legacy in the Horn of Africa.