Adulis

A seaport on the Red Sea coast of Ethiopia, near modern Massawa. It was the principal port of Axum on an important trade route. It may have been established in Ptolemaic times during the Pre-Axumite period, though excavations have yielded material belonging to the 3rd century AD or later.

Located on the Red Sea coast of Ethiopia, southeast of the modem port of Massawa, Adulis was the principal seaport of Axum, to which it was linked by a well-travelled trade route. There are indications that Adulis may have been established in Ptolemaic times and, indeed, it must be assumed that ports or other settlements existed on this coast during the Pre-Axumite period. However, such excavations as have taken place at Adulis have yielded material which belongs to the 3rd century ad or later.