The Last Queen of Sheba: Bilqis and the Sabaean Legacy

The Ottoman Occupation of Yemen: 400 Years of Resistance

In 1517, the Ottoman Empire set its sights on Yemen, a land of frankincense, coffee, and strategic ports. What followed was a brutal, 400-year struggle that shaped Yemen's modern identity. This episode dives into the Ottoman-Yemeni wars, focusing on the Zaydi imams who led fierce resistance, the 1635 expulsion of the Ottomans from Sanaa, and the surprising alliance between the Qasimid state and British India. We walk through the fall of Zabid, the siege of Shihr, and the legendary figure of Imam al-Mansur al-Qasim, whose campaigns forced the sultan to recognize Yemeni autonomy. We also explore how Ottoman rule unintentionally unified Yemen's fractious tribes and set the stage for the modern republic. Featuring details from Ottoman chronicler Mustafa al-Nuwayri and the forgotten Treaty of 1636, this episode reveals a chapter of history where coffee, trade, and rifles collided. #OttomanEmpire #Yemen #ZaydiImamate #ImamAlMansurAlQasim #QasimidState #BattleOfZabid #SiegeOfShihr #TreatyOf1636 #MustafaAlNuwayri #CoffeeTrade #BritishIndia #Sanaa #Mocha #Aden #MilitaryHistory #MiddleEast #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

The Yemeni Coffee Trade: Mocha's Global Legacy

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the rich history of Yemen's coffee trade, focusing on the port of Mocha (al-Mukha) and its global impact. They discuss the origins of coffee in Yemen, the role of Sufi mystics in popularizing the drink, the rise of Mocha as a trading hub in the 15th-17th centuries, the famous Baba Budean legend, the decline of Mocha due to the rise of Java and colonial plantations, and the lasting legacy of 'Mocha' as a coffee style. The episode also touches on the social and economic aspects of the qat economy, contrasting it with coffee's historical significance. #Yemen #Coffee #Mocha #al-Mukha #BabaBudean #Sufi #Zabid #Aden #CoffeeHistory #YemeniCoffee #GlobalTrade #OttomanEmpire #JavaCoffee #CoffeeLegacy #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEast #TradeRoutes Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

The 1948 Coup Against Imam Yahya: A Family Feud That Changed Yemen

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 1948 coup that overthrew Imam Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din, a pivotal event in Yemen's modern history. They discuss the complex web of tribal alliances, the role of the al-Wazir family, and the subsequent rebellion led by Ahmad bin Yahya. The episode delves into the motivations behind the coup, the involvement of the Hashid and Bakil tribes, and the lasting impact on Yemen's political landscape. Listeners will learn about key figures like Abdullah al-Wazir and Muhammad Mahmud al-Zubayri, the significance of the Qasimid dynasty, and how this event foreshadowed future conflicts. #Yemen #ImamYahya #1948Coup #alWazir #Zaydi #Hashid #Bakil #Qasimid #Sanaa #AhmadBinYahya #MiddleEastHistory #ModernYemen #Coup #Rebellion #TribalPolitics #History #FexingoHistory #YemenHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Yemen's Jewish Queen: The Legend of Bilqis and the Sabaean Temple of Awwam

This episode of The History of Yemen dives into the archaeological and legendary layers of the Queen of Sheba, known in Yemen as Bilqis. Lucas and Luna explore the Sabaean temple of Awwam near Marib, dedicated to the moon god Almaqah, and discuss how excavations have revealed inscriptions that may reference a female ruler—possibly the historical Bilqis. They examine the discrepancy between the biblical and Ethiopian accounts (Kebra Nagast) and the local Yemeni tradition, touching on the incense trade, the Great Dam of Marib, and the role of women in Sabaean society. The conversation also covers the 20th-century American excavations by Wendell Phillips and the ongoing looting at the site. This is a deep dive into the intersection of archaeology, legend, and national identity in Yemen. #Bilqis #QueenOfSheba #SabaeanKingdom #Marib #Awwam #Almaqah #Yemen #Archaeology #IncenseTrade #WendellPhillips #KebraNagast #AncientYemen #Mukarrib #SaylAlArim #MiddleEast #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

The Last Queen of Sheba: Bilqis and the Sabaean Legacy

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the legendary Queen of Sheba—known in Yemeni tradition as Bilqis—and her enduring impact on both ancient history and modern Yemeni identity. The conversation traces the queen from the Hebrew Bible and Ethiopian Kebra Nagast to the Sabaean inscriptions that may refer to a female ruler around the 10th century BCE. They discuss the ongoing debate over whether she was a real historical figure or a composite legend, the role of the Marib Dam in consolidating power, and how the queen's story was later used by the Himyarite kings to legitimize their rule. Lucas also explains the 8th-century BCE Sabaean mukarrib Karib'il Watar's expansion, the incense trade that made Saba wealthy, and the archaeological evidence from the Awwam Temple and Barran Temple that may hint at a queen's presence. The episode concludes with a reflection on how Bilqis remains a potent symbol in Yemen today, from folk tales to political rhetoric. #QueenOfSheba #Bilqis #Sabaean #Yemen #Marib #AncientHistory #Archaeology #KebraNagast #IncenseTrade #KaribilWatar #AwwamTemple #BarranTemple #MiddleEast #OldSouthArabian #SabaeanInscriptions #Legend #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]