Axum's King Kaleb and the Himyarite Crusade

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of King Kaleb, one of Axum's most ambitious rulers. In the early 6th century, Kaleb launched a massive military expedition across the Red Sea to intervene in the Himyarite Kingdom (modern Yemen) against a Jewish king, Dhu Nuwas, who was persecuting Christians. Lucas explains the geopolitical context—how Axum's control of the Red Sea trade routes and its Christian identity drove this conflict. They discuss the naval preparations, the role of the Byzantine Empire as an ally, and the brutal siege of Zafar. The episode also covers the aftermath: Axum's brief rule over Himyar, the eventual Persian intervention, and the long-term decline of Axum's power. Key figures include Kaleb, Dhu Nuwas, and the Christian martyrs of Najran. This episode dives into a pivotal moment often overshadowed by Axum's earlier achievements. #Axum #KingKaleb #Himyar #DhuNuwas #Najran #RedSea #ByzantineEmpire #Christianity #Judaism #Yemen #Zafar #MaribDam #PersianEmpire #6thCentury #ReligiousConflict #MilitaryHistory #AncientTrade #FexingoHistory #KingdomOfAxum #AksumiteEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo