The Last Queen of Sheba: Bilqis and the Sabaean Legacy

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]

The 1839 British Capture of Aden: A Pirate Fortress Becomes an Empire

In this episode, we dive into the British seizure of Aden in 1839 — a pivotal moment that transformed a ruined port into a cornerstone of the British Empire. We explore the East India Company's strategic calculus, the capture of the Sultan of Lahej's fort at Crater, and the construction of a coaling station that would guard the route to India. Learn about Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, the Aden Residency, and the early tensions between the British garrison and local tribes that set the stage for a century of colonial rule. We also touch on the forgotten history of Aden's Jewish community and the unexpected role of the Somali coast in the port's revival. This episode builds on our prior coverage of the Aden Protectorate and the 1963 Aden Emergency, offering a fresh look at the origins of Britain's presence in southern Yemen. #Aden #BritishEmpire #EastIndiaCompany #StaffordHaines #Crater #SultanOfLahej #1839 #YemenHistory #ColonialHistory #CoalingStation #IndianOcean #Piracy #Socotra #AdenResidency #Raj #AdenProtectorate #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

The 1962 Coup That Toppled Yemen's Imamate

In September 1962, a handful of Yemeni army officers backed by Nasser's Egypt staged a coup that ended a thousand-year theocratic tradition. This episode focuses on the coup itself: the death of Imam Ahmad, the ambitions of his son Muhammad al-Badr, the Free Officers' conspiracy, and the chaotic first hours in Sanaa. We follow Colonel Abdullah al-Sallal, the reluctant figurehead, and the role of Egyptian intelligence officer Anwar Sadat. The episode covers the battle for the radio station, al-Badr's escape to the north, and the immediate trigger for the eight-year civil war. We also discuss how the coup reshaped Yemen's relationship with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and why the Cold War's logic of Arab unity and monarchy-versus-republic made this more than a local affair. #History #FexingoHistory #Yemen #1962Coup #AbdullahalSallal #MuhammadalBadr #Sanaa #FreeOfficers #Egypt #Nasser #Imamate #Zaydi #ArabColdWar #CivilWar #YemenArabRepublic #AnwarSadat #SaudiArabia #Revolution Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]