Axum's Forgotten King: The Rise and Fall of Aphilas

After Ezana's conversion to Christianity, Axum saw a brief but fascinating return to polytheism under King Aphilas. This episode explores the life and reign of this obscure ruler, known mostly through his coinage and a single mention in the Monumentum Adulitanum. Lucas and Luna examine Aphilas's attempt to revive the old gods, his wars against the Beja nomads, and the mystery of his sudden disappearance from history. They also discuss the implications of his religious policies for Axum's relationship with the Roman Empire and the emerging Christian kingdom. With details from the Aksumite coin series, the Cosmas Indicopleustes text, and recent archaeological work at the site of Adulis, this episode sheds light on a crucial pivot point in Axum's trajectory from pagan empire to Christian state. #Aphilas #Aksumite #Axum #Beja #MonumentumAdulitanum #Adulis #CosmasIndicopleustes #Polytheism #Christianity #Ezana #EastAfrica #AncientHistory #Coinage #Numismatics #RedSea #4thCentury #History #FexingoHistory #KingdomOfAxum #AksumiteEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo