The correct answer is It expanded trade to include Greek, Roman, Arab, and Indian merchants.
Meroe's founders were Cousites, or Ethiopians. Mural paintings and sculptures clearly show their African characteristics. Egyptian culture left its mark on Méroe, but near the end of the second millennium BCE, Ethiopia broke free from Egypt's control.
In the latter part of the eighth century BCE, Ethiopia really conquered Egypt and dominated it for about 60 years. So, while many imagine that Egypt was the only empire to emerge from Africa, this is not true. One of the Ethiopian rulers during the eighth century BCE, King Tiraca, is even mentioned in the Bible.
