The Aksumite Silver Trade: Coins, Kings, and Indian Ocean Commerce

This episode dives into the Aksumite Empire's role as a major player in the Indian Ocean silver trade, focusing on how their coinage—minted in gold, silver, and bronze—became a trusted currency across trade routes. We explore the reign of King Ezana, his conversion to Christianity, and how Aksumite silver coins have been found as far as India and Yemen. The conversation unpacks the strategic importance of the port of Adulis, the empire's diplomatic ties with Byzantium, and the economic decline tied to the rise of Islam and changing trade patterns. Specifics include the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, the Ezana Stone, and the evidence from hoards of Aksumite silver coins discovered in South Arabia. Listeners learn how Aksum's silver trade, often overshadowed by its gold, reveals a nuanced economy that connected Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean. #AksumiteEmpire #SilverTrade #KingEzana #Adulis #IndianOceanTrade #AksumiteCoinage #Periplus #EzanaStone #ByzantineEmpire #Himyar #SouthArabia #GeEz #AncientAfrica #TradeRoutes #Numismatics #History #FexingoHistory #WorldHistory #SilkRoad #HanDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo