The Aksumite Empire: How a Christian Kingdom Ruled the Red Sea

Before the rise of Islam, the Aksumite Empire of Ethiopia and Eritrea was a major power in the ancient world, controlling the Red Sea trade and competing with Rome and Persia. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Aksum became the first Christian state after Armenia, adopting the faith under King Ezana in the 4th century. They discuss the mysterious stelae of Aksum, the empire's conversion through the story of Frumentius—a Syrian shipwreck survivor who became the first bishop of Ethiopia—and how the Ge'ez language and the Ethiopic Bible shaped a distinct Christian tradition. They also cover Aksum's military campaigns, including the conquest of the Himyarite kingdom in Yemen, and the empire's slow decline as trade routes shifted and the environment changed. Specific figures and places include King Ezana, Frumentius, the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, the Aksumite stelae, the port of Adulis, and the battle with the Himyarite king Dhu Nuwas. The episode ends with a reflection on how Aksum's legacy endures in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the legend of the Ark of the Covenant. #AksumiteEmpire #KingEzana #Frumentius #EthiopianOrthodox #Ge'ez #RedSeaTrade #ChristianityInAfrica #Adulis #Himyarite #DhuNuwas #Stelae #ChurchOfOurLadyMaryOfZion #ArkOfTheCovenant #AncientHistory #WorldHistory #ReligionAndEmpire #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo