Axum's Decline: Climate Change and the Rise of Islam

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the decline of the Kingdom of Axum, focusing on the environmental and economic pressures that led to its fall. They discuss the role of climate change in the 7th century, including shifts in monsoon patterns that disrupted agriculture and trade. The rise of Islam and the expansion of the Rashidun and Umayyad caliphates are examined, particularly how they redirected Red Sea trade routes away from Axum toward Jeddah and Mecca. The hosts also touch on the mysterious figure of King Armah, whose gold coins are among the last minted, and the eventual shift of political power to the Zagwe dynasty in the highlands. Key terms include: Aksum, Adulis, Ge'ez, basileus, solidus, Rashidun, Umayyad, Cosmas Indicopleustes, and the Kebra Nagast. #Axum #KingdomOfAxum #DeclineOfAxum #ClimateChange #RiseOfIslam #Adulis #RedSeaTrade #KingArmah #ZagweDynasty #MonsoonPatterns #Rashidun #Umayyad #7thCentury #EastAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #AncientEmpires #TradeRoutes Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo