Episode Details
Back to Episodes
The Aksumite Invasion of Yemen: Ethiopia's Arabian Empire
Description
In the 6th century, the Kingdom of Aksum expanded across the Red Sea into Yemen, ruling parts of Arabia for decades. This episode explores Emperor Kaleb's invasion of the Himyarite kingdom around 525 CE, the religious and political motives behind the campaign, and the lasting impact on Ethiopian identity. We discuss the legendary figure of Dhu Nuwas, the persecution of Christians in Najran, the construction of a massive Aksumite fleet, and the eventual collapse of Ethiopian rule in Yemen under Abraha, an Aksumite general who later became an independent king. Learn about the Sabaean and Himyarite kingdoms, the strategic port of Adulis, and how this transoceanic empire influenced the Kebra Nagast's narrative of Solomonic kingship. Perfect for anyone fascinated by ancient African empires and their connections to the wider world.