Week 19: The Atlantic World IDs

Maggie Walston

Askia Mohammed...he's grrrreat!

What's so great about Askia the Great? Well, he...

• Lived from 1442-1538.
• Was a Soninke king of the Songhai Empire in the late 15th century.
• Was preceded by Sunni Ali Ber.
• Strengthened the empire by extending its borders from Taghaza in the North and to Yatenga in the South, from Air in the Northeast to Futa Tooro in Senegambia.
• Maintained a standing army.
• Divided the empire into provinces, each with its own governor. These provinces were grouped in regions and administered by regional governors. An advisory board of ministers supported each regional governor.
• Was a Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Islamic law prevailed in larger districts to get rid of traditional law.
• Established standardized trade measures and regulations, initiated the policing of trade routes, and expanded trade with Asia and Europe.
• Encouraged literacy by ensuring that the empire's universities produced distinguished scholars.
• Went blind in his old age and his son, Askia Musa took over the throne.
• Supposedly gained his name Askia, which means forceful one, after Sunni Ali Ber's daughter heard the news of one of his wars.

A painting by Leo Dillion of Askia the Great

The Songhai Empire

Week 19: The Atlantic World IDs