Aksumite Agriculture: The Terracing That Fed an Empire

On today's episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna turn from Axum's famous trade networks and military campaigns to the hidden foundation of its power: agriculture. How did this highland kingdom feed its cities and armies, grow surplus for export, and sustain itself for centuries? We explore the ingenious terraced farming systems of the Tigray highlands, staple crops like teff and sorghum, and the role of the monsoon rains (kiremt). The conversation covers irrigation techniques, the cultivation of cotton and frankincense, and how the rise of the Zagwe dynasty and deforestation contributed to Axum's decline—linking farming practices to political fate. Specific figures like King Ezana and Queen Yodit appear in the context of land use and climate stress. The episode also touches on the legendary Queen of Sheba's agricultural gifts and the recent archaeological work at Yeha. #AksumiteAgriculture #TerraceFarming #TigrayHighlands #Kiremt #Teff #Sorghum #Frankincense #Yeha #Ezana #Yodit #Zagwe #AksumiteDecline #Deforestation #EthiopianHistory #AncientFarming #EastAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo