African Civilizations (500-1600 AD) Assessment

In its earlier period (around 500 AD), the Kingdom of Aksum controlled lucrative trade routes connecting the Mediterranean world with the:

• Atlantic Ocean

• Indian Ocean via the Red Sea

• Trans-Saharan routes only

• Baltic Sea

What was the long-term significance of King Ezana's conversion to Christianity around 330 AD?

• It led to the immediate decline of Aksum.

• It caused Aksum to conquer the Roman Empire.

• It established Ethiopia as one of the world's oldest Christian states.

• It resulted in the abandonment of the Ge'ez language.

King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty is most famous for commissioning:

• The great Stelae of Aksum.

• The invasion of North Africa.

• The writing of the Kebra Nagast.

• The creation of eleven rock-hewn churches.

The Kebra Nagast served primarily to:

• Document the laws of the Ghana Empire.

• Describe Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Legitimize the Solomonic dynasty by tracing its lineage to biblical figures.

• Outline the trade routes of the Swahili Coast.

The wealth and power of the Ghana Empire were fundamentally based on controlling the trade of:

• Silk and spices

• Diamonds and iron

• Gold and salt

• Timber and fish

Who was the founder of the Mali Empire, defeating Soumaoro Kanté at the Battle of Kirina around 1235 AD?

• Mansa Musa

• Askia Muhammad

• Sunni Ali

• Sundiata Keita

What title, meaning "king of kings" or "emperor," was used for the ruler of the Mali Empire?

• Sultan

• Mansa

• Askia

• Manikongo

Mansa Musa I, ruler of the Mali Empire, gained significant international fame primarily through:

• His military conquest of North Africa.

• His extravagant pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in 1324-1325.

• His invention of new agricultural techniques.

• His alliance with European monarchs.

Under Mansa Musa's patronage, which city became a major center of Islamic scholarship and learning in West Africa?

• Aksum

• Kumbi Saleh

• Timbuktu

• Great Zimbabwe

Sunni Ali, the ruler who transformed Songhai into a vast empire, utilized which military force particularly effectively along the Niger River?

• War elephants

• Gunpowder cannons

• A riverine navy of war canoes

• Horse-mounted archers only