Question

questions 10 through 12 refer to the following.
in the year 1450 c.e. there came to naples a three - man embassy from the king of ethiopia to his highness, our king alfonso. among the ambassadors was a certain pietro rombulo, an italian, native of the city of messina. this pietro claimed that he had lived among the ethiopians for over 40 years. and he described to me how in ethiopia there are innumerable christians - since both the people and the king there worship christ - among whom he had been able to live a good christian life safely and honorably. the ruler of ethiopia, king david, whom they call zara yacob, was said by the ambassadors to be the most civilized, the most just, and the most pious of princes.
pietro panzano, catholic church official in naples and sicily, universal history written circa 1480
which of the following was a continuity in the development of african states in the period circa 1200 - 1450?
a african states such as ethiopia maintained close contacts with south and east asian states across the indian ocean but rarely had contacts with europe.
b despite geographical barriers, some african states were able to maintain diplomatic and cultural contacts with the broader afro - eurasian world.
c most african states rejected traditional forms of international diplomacy, such as dynastic marriages and tribute payments.
d african states needed to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with europe in order to expand their empires.

Explanation:

The passage mentions Ethiopian - European contacts. It shows that despite geographical distance, African states like Ethiopia had diplomatic relations with other regions. Option A is correct as it reflects the continuity of African states maintaining contacts with other regions such as South and East Asian states across the Indian Ocean and with Europe. Option B is incorrect as the passage doesn't focus on African - Eurasian diplomatic and cultural contacts in the broader Eurasian world. Option C is wrong as there is no indication of African states rejecting traditional forms of international diplomacy. Option D is not supported as the passage doesn't discuss African states needing to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with Europe to expand their empires.

Answer:

A. African states such as Ethiopia maintained close contacts with South and East Asian states across the Indian Ocean and had contacts with Europe.