East and West African Societies Quick Check
What can we infer happened to the Axum Empire after 1100 CE? (1 point)
• It lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence.
• It was destroyed by a rival empire.
• The economic system fell apart due to overexpansion.
• It stopped trading entirely.
• It lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence.
We can infer that the Axum Empire lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence after 1100 CE.
To infer what happened to the Axum Empire after 1100 CE, we can examine the options given and make an educated guess based on historical knowledge.
Option 1: It lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence.
This option suggests that the Axum Empire declined in influence while the Swahili city-states rose to prominence. This could potentially be a valid inference, as the Swahili city-states of East Africa, such as Kilwa and Mogadishu, became major trading centers during this time. However, we need to consider other options before drawing a conclusion.
Option 2: It was destroyed by a rival empire.
This option suggests that the Axum Empire was completely destroyed by a rival empire. While there were wars and conflicts in the region during this period, there is no strong historical evidence to support the complete destruction of the Axum Empire by a specific rival empire. Therefore, this option is less likely.
Option 3: The economic system fell apart due to overexpansion.
This option suggests that the Axum Empire faced economic challenges due to overexpansion. While overexpansion can be detrimental to an empire's stability, leading to economic strain, there is not enough historical evidence to support this specific claim about the Axum Empire. Therefore, this option is less likely as well.
Option 4: It stopped trading entirely.
This option suggests that the Axum Empire ceased all trading activities. While it is possible that the empire's trade may have declined or shifted during this time, there is no significant historical evidence to support the claim that trading stopped entirely. Therefore, this option is also less likely.
Based on the available options, the most probable inference is that the Axum Empire lost influence as the Swahili city-states gained prominence (Option 1). However, it's important to note that historical inferences may be subject to varying interpretations and further research is always advised to validate any conclusion.