The great port of Aksum, described in the first-century Periplus and by Cosmas in the sixth century, lies in ruins near the modern town of Zula on the Gulf of Zula.
It was abandoned sometime about the eighth century: excavations found a destruction layer and traces of fire, and the traditional destruction date of 640 is inconclusive. In 1200 it is a field of ruins known by name, not a town; the trade of the coast has moved to Massawa and the Dahlak islands.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not applicable
- Title
- Ruin; in Saho country
- Since
- Not pinned
- Confidence
- low
Lord in 1200
No lord: a ruin among the Saho of the Gulf of Zula.
How things stand that morning
Ruined.
Charter
None (no charters in this world).
Council
Not recorded.
Communities
Saho herders round about.
Fairs and markets
Not recorded.
Militia
None recorded.
Walls and castle
None recorded.
Where the sources disagree
- Do not draw Adulis as a living town in 1200.
Evidence: Excavations of the 2000s and 2010s and the classical sources; no medieval occupation reported.
On the map: A point.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.