The decline and collapse of the Kingdom of Aksum (6th-7th CE: an environmental disaster or the end of a political process?

The historical matter of the ‘end’ of the Kingdom of Aksum (6th-7th cent.) has been debated long by scholars in search of understanding for the ‘last days’ of the African state. Starting from the end of 20th cent., researches privileged the theory of the environmental degradation caused by the human exploitation of natural resources, associated to destructive phenomena such as famines, plague, locust infestations (and consequent migrations and social conflicts). In truth, none of these factors proves to be exclusive of the period between 6th and 7th cent., and recurrent episodes of that sort has occurred in ancient and modern history of the Ethio-Eritrean highlands. Rather, in the same ages the historical framework is characterized by the overthrow of the political balance on the regional scene. The ‘retreat’ of Byzantines and Persians, the rise of the Caliphate, the taking of control of the Reds Sea coasts by the Arabs, the decline of Adulis and the maritime trade route: the sum of these elements justifies the dramatic changes we call ‘decline and collapse’ of Aksum.