Axum's King Wazeba and the Silver Coin Revolution

In this episode, Lucas and Luna discuss the reign of King Wazeba, one of Axum's lesser-known but pivotal rulers. Wazeba introduced the first silver coinage in Axumite history, a radical shift from the gold and bronze currency of his predecessors. Lucas explains why Wazeba chose silver—likely to facilitate trade with Rome and to mark his own authority after a period of political uncertainty. They explore the unique iconography of Wazeba's coins, featuring his crowned bust and a cross on the reverse, hinting at the growing influence of Christianity even before the official conversion under Ezana. The conversation also touches on the mystery of Wazeba's identity: was he a usurper, a regent, or a legitimate king? With no monumental inscriptions bearing his name, his story is pieced together from scattered archaeological finds, coin hoards, and passing mentions in foreign texts. Lucas shares how die analysis of Wazeba's coins reveals he may have been a contemporary of Endubis, and how his silver coins circulated widely in the Red Sea trade network. The episode ends with a reflection on how much we still don't know about this transitional period in Axumite history. #Axum #Wazeba #AksumiteCoinage #SilverCoin #RedSeaTrade #Endubis #KingWazeba #AksumiteHistory #AncientAfrica #Numismatics #TradeRoutes #RomanEconomy #Christianity #Ge'ez #Adulis #ThirdCentury #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo