Axum's King Endubis: The First African Silver Coin

Long before Axum became a Christian empire under Ezana, its early kings were already minting silver coins that rivaled Rome's denarius. This episode focuses on King Endubis, the first Axumite ruler to issue silver coinage, around 270–290 CE. We explore what his coins reveal about Axum's early statehood—their iconography, weights, and Greek and Ge'ez legends. Endubis's coins feature a royal portrait with a crown and spear, echoing Roman imperial imagery but adapted for an African kingdom. We discuss the economic context: the Red Sea trade route, demand for currency in Adulis, and the need to pay mercenaries and officials. Endubis's reign marked a shift from bronze to silver, signaling Axum's growing power and integration into the Indian Ocean economy. We also touch on the mystery of why his coinage was so short-lived—only a few types survive—and what that says about early Axumite state formation. If you've ever wondered how ancient African states created money, this episode dives into the numismatic evidence. #Axum #Endubis #Numismatics #AxumiteEmpire #SilverCoinage #AncientEconomy #RedSeaTrade #Adulis #Ge'ez #GreekLegends #RomanInfluence #IndianOceanTrade #3rdCenturyCE #AfricanHistory #Coinage #KingEndubis #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo