History of Africa

Latest Episodes:

Season 2 Episode 5: The Aksumite Invasion of Arabia Jan 04, 2021

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In the year 200 AD, the Aksumite King, Gadarat, went to work expanding Aksumite influence. At first, his ambitions were contained to the African continent, but when pirates from the southern Arabian kingdom of Himyar begin seizing Aksumite ships, his attention turns to the conquest of Arabia.
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Season 2 Episode 4: Aksum’s Humble Origins Dec 21, 2020

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In 300 BC, a small agrarian village in the Ethiopian highlands was beginning its rise to glory. This village, known as Aksum, would soon rise to become a great power, revered as far away as Rome, China, and Persia. Listen this week to learn about the humble origins of this magnificent civilization and its rise from humble village to global trade empire.
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Season 2 Episode 3: In with Dm’t, Out with Saba Dec 14, 2020

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In 690 BC, the Sabaean confederacy crumbled into a bloody civil war. As the Sabaean king scrambles to reassert his rule, the fledgling and mysterious kingdom of D'mt emerges as the new power in the Ethiopian highlands.
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Season 2 Episode 2: The Rise of Saba Dec 07, 2020

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With Egypt's declining influence in East Africa, a new power will rise to take their place, the Yemeni kingdom of Saba. Most well known for its place in biblical and quranic lore as the kingdom of Sheba, learn about the true character of this marvelous Arabian kingdom, and their unique impact on Ethiopian history.
(Note: in this episode and others, I refer to some cities on the fringes of the highlands like Qohaito as "coastal", even though they are not on the coast. This was an attempt to come up with a term to differentiate these cities from further inland sites like Yeha and Aksum. In retrospect I think this caused more confusion than it helped, but just keep that in mind. Qohaito is on the northern fringes of the highlands, not on the coast.)
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Season 2 Episode 1: Ethiopia’s Civilizational Stage Nov 30, 2020

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In the highlands of Ethiopia, a civilization will be born that will become the most respected on the continent. Other African nations will borrow their colors for their flags, and it will be viewed as an aspirational symbol for Africans everywhere. Join us this week, as we learn about how the geography of East Africa drove the early development of Ethiopian civilization, witness the migration of the proto-afroasiatics, and the rise of Puntite city-states.
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Season 1 Episode 8: The Collapse Of The Old Kingdom Nov 23, 2020

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The Old Kingdom is reeling from a series of disastrous civil and reforms. Things only get worse when the pharaoh Teti is assassinated, leaving a devastating power vacuum on Egypt's throne. When order is finally restored, the last pharaohs of Egypt will desperately strive to restore Egypt's glory. But, just when things finally seem to be improving, events will conspire to bring the Old Kingdom crumbling down.
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Season 1 Episode 7: The Rise and Fall of the Cult of Ra Nov 16, 2020

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Userkaf, an illegitimate son, has ascended to the throne of Egypt. To keep his power, he must find allies, and soon. The growing Cult of Ra, a powerful new religion, seems like a strong potential ally for the new pharaoh. What will come out of this precarious new relationship?
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Season 1 Episode 6: The Old Kingdom’s Peak Nov 09, 2020

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When Sneferu ascended to the throne of Egypt, he had something to prove. He was born no royal, living his early life as a minor nomarch, and only lucked into the position by marrying the daughter of a pharaoh with no heir. In a quest to prove his status as a god-king, Sneferu commanded the most impressive building project yet made with human hands. Join us this week as Sneferu and his fourth dynasty successors build Egypt's most iconic landmarks. If you'd like to learn more about Egypt's fourth dynasty, or support the show, click here

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Season 1 Episode 5: The first Pyramid Builders Nov 02, 2020

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Khasekhemwy is dead, and his son, Djoser, has inherited a kingdom with political stability and a flourishing economy. Djoser and his successors in the Third Dynasty will use this wealth to build the most magnificent structures that humans have ever laid eyes on. To learn more about this period of Egyptian history, or to support the show and the free education we provide, click here

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Season 1 Episode 4: Egypt Shatters Oct 26, 2020

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When the last pharaoh of Egypt's first dynasty dies without an heir, Egypt is thrown into a protracted, blood civil war. This is only the beginning of Egypt's problems though, as the rule of Egypt's second dynasty will be a non-stop series of crisis after crisis. How will Egypt emerge from such a devastating period of instability?
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Edit: apologies for the error with the music being too loud at some points. I'm still learning the software and mistakes happen.

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