Roman Trade with Africa DOCUMENTARY

Signup for your FREE trial to The Great Courses Plus here: ow.ly/Akhi30oNKBC
The Great Courses Plus is currently available to watch through a web browser to almost anyone in the world and optimized for the US, UK, and Australian markets. The Great Courses Plus is currently working to both optimize the product globally and accept credit card payments globally.
We are continuing our new animated historical documentary series on the Roman trade and economy with a video on the trade with Africa. Previously we have covered the Roman trade with India • How Roman trade with I... and the importance of Egypt • Why Was Egypt Crucial ...
You can listen to our new podcast here: kingsandgenerals.libsyn.com/4-...
Support us on Patreon: / kingsandgenerals or Paypal: paypal.me/kingsandgenerals
We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: drive.google.com/open?id=1Jlq...
The video was made by our friend Cogito bit.ly/2CFCouA while the script was researched and written by Matt Hollis
This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives )
✔ Merch store ► teespring.com/stores/kingsand...
✔ Patreon ► / kingsandgenerals
✔ Podcast ► kingsandgenerals.libsyn.com/ iTunes: apple.co/2QTuMNG
✔ PayPal ► paypal.me/kingsandgenerals
✔ Twitter ► / kingsgenerals
✔ Facebook ► / kingsgenerals
✔ Instagram ► / kings_generals
Sources:
Adrian Goldsworthy - Augustus: From Revolutionary to Emperor
Raoul McLaughlin - The Roman Empire and the Indian Ocean: The Ancient World Economy and the Kingdoms of Africa, Arabia and India
Raoul McLaughlin - Rome and the Distant East: Trade Routes to the Ancient Lands of Arabia, India and China
Alan K. Bowman and Dominic Rathbone - Cities and Administration in Roman Egypt
Adrian Goldsworthy - Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
#Documentary #Rome #RomanEmpire

[@KingsandGenerals]

Buying our merchandise is second best to buying the spices... So... bit.ly/2SJJHa1

[@thun8393]

Can you do a video about the Empire of Thailand

[@hadtrio6629]

how about you do a video about north africa the amazighs tribes and their relationships with the romans

[@sozibrahman8504]

Kings and Generals please do a video on Romulus , the founder of Rome.

[@kvlt1349]

The spice must flow!

[@filmont9383]

@Black Wallstreet Glad you pointed this out! Always some European must have been involved/mentioned whenever highly organized African civilisations are talked about!

[@dorivaldojunior2254]

History and economy... I can't thank you enough :D

[@MasterMalrubius]

[@Moepowerplant]

This is a positive trend, since our textbooks sometimes look like nothing but endless series of wars.

[@Stoic_Zoomer]

@@Moepowerplant wars are the only thing relevant to government education unfortunately. They should include so much more but unfortunately I think most wouldn't care.

[@joeldykman7591]

Wars and battle are easy mode for historians. As in, there is usually a definitive beginning and end and specific dates where important events happened. That's why its convenient for a general course of history. Though in reality, trade was a better determining factor in global hegemony. Its no coincidence the greatest economic powers over the span of time also usually had/have great military strength. Trade supports and necessitates the need for a military. Not many people consider the beginning of a trade treaty a noteworthy moment in history, my guess because it isn't exactly as exciting as a bunch of gory battles.

[@LeSethX]

I love it. As much as I know of history, I understand why a civilization falls better than I do when (or more importantly, why) a new power emerges.

[@MUJAHID56787]

Being Somali my mother always used to burn myrrh. Crazy to think how valuable that little thing was.

[@BALLARDTWIN]

Literally no excavations have been done in somalia. But roman pottery was found in the north somaliland not sure if that is fake or real

[@beninwarrior4579]

@swarfega im 100% sure they did excavations. Also there are records.

[@beninwarrior4579]

@@BALLARDTWIN im sure they did excavations in somalia.

[@BALLARDTWIN]

@@beninwarrior4579 few and all in the northern most region

[@MM-xm5vx]

swarfega some of these cities are now important portsz

[@ikagai1000]

Must have been awkward when Romans and Persians met at these distant port cities.😂😂

[@dardo1201]

Somewhat yes, but most foreign powers had trade relations with Rome when they were not at war, Carthage had its own trade district before and in between the Punic wars, so I imagine some of the traders just accepted each other as competitors for the most part

[@dardo1201]

Jack J true

[@sjewitt22]

@@jackj9816 America does that.

[@Jobe-13]

full savage 😂

[@bestestusername]

$$$ and trade wins in the end, greed is good

[@TheFiresloth]

The eastern coast traderoad is often forgotten in history, thanks for putting a light on it !

[@abdulrahmanmoha8796]

Indeed

[@darthhoovy8332]

Yea! It’s really interesting what the people of the past traded!

[@coolbule1238]

I'm following you

[@rjc2630]

@Cornelius Tacitus WRONG

[@rjc2630]

@Cornelius Tacitus hater

[@Asgoga]

There's nothing in youtube that makes me more excited than new video from Kings and Generals

[@Rocinante2300]

ImMrGoga History matters is pretty good too

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

The 'Historia Civilis' channel is my favorite... some of the best explanations of Roman political history I've ever seen.

[@forcanisso1639]

Watching the ""intelectual" dark web" grifters squirm at the mildest questioning is a pretty good thing too.

[@f.boogaloospook2318]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 damn miss that guy he is really good love his squares

[@notgadot]

@@jason4275 romans are from africa. They are dark.

[@yournewnightmare2551]

More Like Kings, Generals and Traders nowadays. Keep it up

[@SVanTha]

Kings and Generals may be the head and arms of a kingdom, but traders, merchants and economies are the lifeblood.

[@AlexFlodder]

Trading is one of the many lifebloods of an empire, hence kings (presidents, hi Trump!) are managing it.

[@carapo66]

It always has been, Nils To.

[@eddy._.1822]

We are going to 1 million subscribers!👏👏👏👏👌👌👍👍

[@EmperorDionx]

I am really shocked there are even 1 million people intelligent enough to like history

[@eddy._.1822]

Kaiser Dion Yea...

[@dazhibernian]

'We'

[@cnlbenmc]

Still got a ways to go; bout 250K.

[@Aleksander7045]

I had no Idea that the Roman trade network reached so far into Africa! K&G never fails to teach me new things about history :).

[@RipVanWhinkle]

And they've traded with China too it seems

[@freakrx2349]

cu-ntilus varius there are reports of a Roman merchant in the court of Sun Quan during the three kingdoms period

[@klevdud]

There was found an romam medallion from the marcus aurelius period in the jungles of vietnam. Also roman gold coins in ancient japanese forts

[@djinnjax3274]

In 50 CE a general named Septimius Flaccus led a military expedition against nomadic bandits who were troubling Leptis Magna in modern-day Lybia. His expedition proved successful but what was most impressive was that his journey went far further south than the Saharan desert. In fact, Flaccus made it as far as an enormous lake surrounded by elephants and rhinoceroses (Lake Chad) before returning. In 19 BCE, the Roman proconsul Cornelius Balbus led a force of 10,000 legionaries into Libya to punish the Garamantes, a Berber people who inhabited the Fezzan region of the Libyan Desert in the northeast Sahara, for rebellious activity. Balbus conquered the city of Ghadames before marching on Garama (Germa) and conquering it. After this, he penetrated the continent further south until reaching what is believed to be the Niger River. Djenne-Djenno, built near modern-day Djenne, Mali by the Iron Age Nok culture in the early 3rd century BCE, has some of the oldest known evidence of Classical Mediterranean trade in West Africa. Traders in Djenne-Djenno were importing glass beads of Roman or Hellenistic origin as early as the 3rd century BCE. Evidence of trans-Saharan trade has been found in Kissi, Burkina Faso and Dia Shoma, Mali which means that this trade did not deal exclusively with the cities of the Middle Niger but extended to the Niger Bend as well.

[@tommy-er6hh]

thank you, Djinn Thought, for this info. I was just wondering about this.

[@StefanMilo]

Also, a historical fiction set in one of those Somali towns would be fantastic.

[@kesorangutan6170]

Dang, when did you get your checkmark Stefan?

[@doc.rankin577]

The economics and trade videos you guys post provide some of the most interesting content I've seen on KZbin. It's a nice insight into the lives and wants of Roman citizens

[@orwellianyoutube8978]

Ordinary Roman citizens didn't have much to want really. Its only the elites who profited. The regular Roman citizen had it damn hard.

[@Battledongus]

@@orwellianyoutube8978 even two millennia ago we wanted pretty things from overseas to show off!

[@notgadot]

@@Battledongus not really.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

It’s really a curiosity where the Roman’s most southern point of exploration was at

[@Annihilatr_]

You are everywhere in KZbin lol

[@erdem6393]

You are Napoleon , so it will be top in comment section.

[@taesu8]

Romans had sent several expeditions into Western Africa where Mali will rise.

[@neutralfellow9736]

"Roman’s most southern point of exploration was at" - Suetonius Paulinus allegedly reached Senegal at one point.

[@blakeluccason9971]

phoenicians reached all of africa so I suppose all of it

[@lmnop286]

Somali sailors and merchants participated in the Indian Ocean-Red Sea-Mediterranean trade for millenniums. Trading spices like cinnamon and dried resins like frankincense, myrrh, and other things mentioned in the video. Ships came specifically to Ancient Somalia to buy these things. Our trade partners in the Mediterranean kept changing from Egyptian to Greek to Roman but we stayed the same. We also traded with China.

[@thinkbeforeyoutype7106]

Exactly! The ancient history of the Somali people is so underrated when they literally traded with almost every civilization in the world. Land of Punt = Opone = Hafun which is modern day Somalia.

[@thinkbeforeyoutype7106]

@@skp8748 Exactly! As well as Ancient Egyptian pottery.

[@thinkbeforeyoutype7106]

@@notgadot Thanks for the laugh but I hope you’re joking. Greece does NOT even come close to Ancient Egyptian civilization which is much older and advanced. Even Greek leaders attribute their civilization from the knowledge they obtain from Ancient Egypt.

[@notgadot]

@@thinkbeforeyoutype7106 lol. roman conquered your poor egypt. even somalia is better than egypt.

[@billiondollardan]

There is still a small town in Ethiopia called Aksum. It's the site of the old capital but now there are only 66,000 people living there

[@rush4in]

billiondollardan Keeping in mind that 66000 was huge for back in the day, it may be that the town is the same size it was 2 millennia ago

[@keeganmoonshine7183]

where my family is from :o

[@shacklock01]

Well I mean, the kingdom of Aksum was fairly prominent till the early Middle Ages, so not surprising ;p

[@Crime1207]

Ethiopia had long reaching relations with the Eastern Roman Empire later on and it's only african country I know of with an indigenious chrisitian-orthodox population. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_Orthodox_Tewahedo_Church

[@Jobe-13]

billiondollardan cool!

[@MacrobianNomad]

There were Mycenaean Greek pottery discovered in the 70s in the port city of Opone (modern day Hafun) in the eastern coast of the Horn of Africa. Therefore, it should come as no suprise that the trade between the Western Civilisations and East African city states took place in a much more recent time like that of the Roman Empire. Ghee, spices myrrh and frankincense from that region were of high regard in the ancient world, it is sad that today when we hear the mention of Somalia and Ethiopia all we think about is civil war and famine.

[@xo-1320]

Those likely ended up there due to trade with Egypt. The late broken age was very interconnected economically until the whole collapse and broken age dark age...

[@MacrobianNomad]

@@islamisthetruth3402 you clearly lack reading comprehension

[@MacrobianNomad]

@@xo-1320 Greece's trade with Opone was mentioned by Heradotus

[@zakariyaabdullahi5669]

@@superspies32 Roman trade in East Africa came 1000 years after the end of Mycanean Greece. So I think its more likely there was trade occurring with eygpt as the middle man during the bronze age. The same way hapshepsut was trading with the kingdom of punt in the somalia/Ethiopia region in 1500 bc.

[@ce8354]

ancient ethopia and somalia were probably the richest parts of africa

[@shakushaku2646]

as a somali my family allways uses myrrh and it smells so good, and am sure the romans also loved it

[@TheMolabola]

They did, the best frankincense and myyrh were from Somalia top quality. Romans, greeks and other empires sought after it and most of the worlds frankincense/myyrh is still from Somalia till this day.

[@sonofadam7633]

Unsi miya

[@honeybadger4812]

@@sonofadam7633 foox

[@cold-reality7251]

@@sonofadam7633 yh

[@VanLightning900]

Watched this video in its entirety. Love from a Nigerian.

[@dougroberts9821]

VanLightning900 used to live in Dahomey so I’ve been to Lagos several times.

[@uyilol4557]

@@dougroberts9821 Dahomey was a kingdom in togo and Benin ahah😂😅😅😅

[@Mohamed-kv8to]

Somali peninsula were know as to roman as the #land_of_cinnamon because somali merchant brought cinnamon from india and sirilanka but somali merchant keep it as a secret from romans so the romans merchant thought that cinnamon grow in somalia

[@timeread3099]

Romans getting trolled 🤣

[@TheMolabola]

Yes the it was known as Aromata promontorium / Cape of spices. Ancient Somalia is rich in history.

[@zakariyaabdullahi5669]

I bet they got rich off of that hidden secret

[@osmanwarsama6046]

exactly

[@user-dw8us4ix2h]

@Johnny Bravo I don't understand why you are speaking like that who are you trying to mimic??

[@zyzmys]

Out of the 15 oldest cities in Africa 4 are Somali cities, Egypt comes second with 3 cities, In the past Somalis lived in city states just like the Greeks, they only shared a common language and culture, some cities had kings and others had chiefs and councils, the ancient cities of Sarapion and Malao are now called Mogadishu and Berbera respectively

[@kaisersouze9515]

lol

[@kaisersouze9515]

We wuz kangs and shet...

[@ebenade1]

@@kaisersouze9515 *Racist alt-righter is shown facts about ancient African civilizations "We Wuz Kangz!"

[@joeburt9761]

Why you guys even arguing.... Its historical fact that establisged african civilization s existed in that area most notably the Kush empire. The kush are renowned for being the first people to train and use african elephants in war and even supplied the ancient egyptians with elephants and soldiers. The kush even conquered Egypt and ruled over the upper and lower kingdoms for about 100 years rebuilding many ancient sites and erecting more obelisks than any other previous dynasty. And that was well over 2000 years before the events in this video

[@nutyyyy]

@@kaisersouze9515 They aren't claiming Egyptians were black, they are pointing out there was plenty of civilisation on the East African coast. Which makes sense given its proximity to Asia. Much like the most developed parts of Europe in the period were in the Mediterranean with access to Asia.

[@drraoulmclaughlin7423]

Brilliant to see this facet of the Ancient Economy visualised! And the Roman-East African trade must have been large-scale and vibrant... - The Roman Empire and the Indian Ocean, page 113: “There were probably more than a hundred ships involved in this commerce since Strabo mentions large fleets bound for Somalia and India in the same sentence. He confirms that, ‘at this present time large fleets are sent as far as India and the extremities of Africa, from which the most valuable cargoes are brought to Egypt’ (Strabo, Geography, 17.1.13).

[@lorenzosaavedra648]

Dr Raoul McLaughlin I'm a huge fan of your youtube channel, kudos to you and K&G for bringing to light this very overlooked facet of the Roman Empire for the rest of us👍

[@enrico7474]

Somalia didnt exist back then nor did Somalis

[@notgadot]

greece is the oldest. The real father of civilisation.

[@notgadot]

@@lorenzosaavedra648 jewish are the winners. there were no Roman traders just traders from Greece

[@rzomg]

I wonder what the elephant population was in Africa back then when the Romans traded with Africa. Around the year 1500 it was estimates to 26 million elephants. In 1913: 10 million. Today: 400k-500k. I wonder what the number will be in 50 years time when my estimated time has come.

[@mikejones3rfs]

The north African elephant is extinct since a few years after Carthage was destroyed.

[@samuelademeso9041]

@@kesorangutan6170 I know of lions in north Africa: the Barbary lions but not so much of north African bears

[@yusaadam318]

Somalis are known as Sailors and Merchants in the ancient world

[@abshirhirsi5297]

@@feddyvonwigglestein3481 new sailors

[@shakushaku2646]

@Johnny Bravo nothing wrong with sailing at least we didnt go around wiping out natives committing genocides and mass enslaving people we where just peaceful sailors for most of our history

[@eastafrica7925]

Feddy von Wigglestein just because Western been dumping chemicals into the sea. just don’t go to their sea and you won’t see them

[@Cz-zi3my]

Johnny Bravo Maldives was ruled by Somalis who brought islam to them. (Majority Muslims now) Fought portuguese ships at sea with Ottomans, established a colony in mozambique. Madagascar has had Somali settlers centuries before Arabs Europeans and Berbers. First African to visit China and met Ibn Battuta at India on his way there. Being ignorant is not a good look kid lmao.

[@somali.liibaan6059]

@@feddyvonwigglestein3481 yes bastard. We are pirates. So what.?

[@patrickblanchette4337]

Leave it to Kings and Generals to make ancient trading sound epic!

[@KingsandGenerals]

it is fun :-)

[@merchantofmogadishu3579]

Kings and Generals abyssnia vs adal war please

[@chaosXP3RT]

I think some videos about the Abyssinian/Ethiopian Empire would be really interesting!

[@anonymousperson9735]

Chronicle the Mali empire. There's a lot of history to be told there.

[@jamesindigo4164]

Heard about King Mansa Musa from Mali the other day. The richest man in human history.

[@moanjelo9453]

Mali was around 12th century, this period Roman empire was collapsed.

[@zakariyaabdullahi5669]

Finally, been waiting for a video on trade with East African cities for a long time. Thanks Kings&Generals

[@mandinka_language_and_proverbs]

Today is all about my home, Let me make myself comfortable first before watching, thanks guys

[@aForkfulOfGold]

Where is that? Ethiopia? :-o

[@mandinka_language_and_proverbs]

@@aForkfulOfGold Ethiopia is in Africa, its shared border with Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, etc, According to history Ethiopia is the first country to have a democracy under the leadership of Najasi a Christian king 660 AD after the disappearance of Jesus's

[@aForkfulOfGold]

@@mandinka_language_and_proverbs Well, that did not answer my question, although I think I can guess it now. :) Just so you know, I wasn't trying to speak badly about wherever you live, I was just curious.

[@mandinka_language_and_proverbs]

@@aForkfulOfGold no no that did not even come to my minds, maybe i don't understand your question,

[@aForkfulOfGold]

I was just wondering whether you are Ethiopian because you said the video was "all about my home", so I asked.

[@ramgiuseppefrancesco7320]

It is of fundamental importance that Eritrea ought to be mentioned best time in the geographical context since the main ports of Axum were on the Red Sea of Eritrea. Great video with insightful assessment!

[@algernon5177]

This, Historia Civilis, and Invicta are literally my go-to videos concerning in depth Ancient Rome. Not just the bloody wars, but the lifestyle, commerce, and culture. Kudos

[@iamaheretic7829]

What about historia civilis ?

[@algernon5177]

@@iamaheretic7829 HS! Im subscribed but i forgot about them WTH. Ty for reminding, lemme edit :3

[@l4430]

All 3 channels are so great but i gotta say something about the narration and visuals of kings and generals videos just put it an easy first for me

[@algernon5177]

@@l4430 Well I somehow I agree. Strong points of Invicta is the focus on life culture and progress, Kings and Generals is the battles and the stories on how it affected the Empire/Republic, Historia deals with strategy and tactics. All do almost all of it and its great that these kind of content exist. Roma Invicta!

[@notgadot]

@@algernon5177 roma thief empire is dead lmao

[@pfl95]

There's just so much history that we don't know about subsaharan Africa. Wish we knew more about the various civilizations and cultures of Africa

[@chidubememma-ugwuoke9660]

Ethiopian history is well documented & somali & other civilizations are also known about but they’re not mainstream history so they aren’t talked about that much

[@abthedragon4921]

Very nice, I loved learning about the Axum Empire, and how it and other African kingdoms interacted with other empires like Rome.

[@jordanhe7509]

Do mongol invasion of Java?

[@keedt]

I think that would break international law.

[@navidkarimi2552]

And muslem invasion of java

[@suciretnowati8219]

navid karimi lol.. java was invaded by civilian traders from arabs, chinese, persia and india, not fully loaded european ship full of cannons and soldiers disguised as merchants.

[@MasterMalrubius]

@@ElNano852 Ok, now that made me snort.

[@TheT3MK4]

keedt why?

[@taesu8]

Do Roman expeditions to Western Africa!

[@djinnjax3274]

In 50 CE a general named Septimius Flaccus led a military expedition against nomadic bandits who were troubling Leptis Magna in modern-day Lybia. His expedition proved successful but what was most impressive was that his journey went far further south than the Saharan desert. In fact, Flaccus made it as far as an enormous lake surrounded by elephants and rhinoceroses (Lake Chad) before returning. In 19 BCE, the Roman proconsul Cornelius Balbus led a force of 10,000 legionaries into Libya to punish the Garamantes, a Berber people who inhabited the Fezzan region of the Libyan Desert in the northeast Sahara, for rebellious activity. Balbus conquered the city of Ghadames before marching on Garama (Germa) and conquering it. After this, he penetrated the continent further south until reaching what is believed to be the Niger River. Djenne-Djenno, built near modern-day Djenne, Mali by the Iron Age Nok culture in the early 3rd century BCE, has some of the oldest known evidence of Classical Mediterranean trade in West Africa. Traders in Djenne-Djenno were importing glass beads of Roman or Hellenistic origin as early as the 3rd century BCE. Evidence of trans-Saharan trade has been found in Kissi, Burkina Faso and Dia Shoma, Mali which means that this trade did not deal exclusively with the cities of the Middle Niger but extended to the Niger Bend as well.

[@beatthecrowd001]

Love how you went really into detail about the roman trading in this region and gave some insight on thier kingdoms and tribes aswell. You only ever hear about this in passing elsewhere. Again great job!!

[@OttomanHistoryHub]

The animations on these videos never cease to amaze me.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@franosusnjara8510]

A suggestion.. maybe make a documentary on 4 roman expeditions to west africa.

[@kirkadrianj]

This was amazing. Thank you for furthering the discussion on the trade economy of the East African coast. Very informative. Wonderfully done. A great primer for further research.

[@ilya5971]

Great video as always. New subscriber here.Hope to see more videos on the horn of Africa region(Somalia,Ethiopia,Eritrea,Djibouti) thanks. 👏

[@MasterMalrubius]

Welcome Ilya.

[@dontsearchdocumentingreali9621]

Ethiopia's history the most underrated in the world.

[@azakzaak1691]

Not at all. In fact it is the opposite when you compare with how the world underrated ancient history of Meroë (present day Sudan) and Land of Punt (present day Somalia).

[@Somali-Puntite]

AZak Z Facts

[@gordomiguel1931]

I'd think Syria's history might be more underrated.

[@MM-xm5vx]

Yeah the Horn of Africa is one of the most interesting areas of the world. It even had its own form of feudalism like the Japanese and Europeans.

[@randomguy4167]

william jacob The same think happened with the Greeks and the Romans,but we still talk about both and both have their differences and are fascinating Plus the 25th dynasty is also interesting,the Nubians conquered all of Egypt, that at the very least is worth talking about

[@ShmoopyLongnuts]

These vids on the roman economy have become my absolute favourites, great work to everyone involved!

[@marshallkane1096]

Thank you for the great animation in these videos The Roman lust for profit seemed to conquer every cultural barrier ! Keep up the good work !

[@habesahgeez3933]

The Aksumite Empire at its height extended across most of present-day Eritrea, northern Ethiopia, western Yemen, southern Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. The capital city of the empire was Aksum, now in northern Ethiopia. Today a smaller community, the city of Aksum was once a bustling metropolis and cultural and economic center. By the reign of Endubis in the late 3rd century, the empire had begun minting its own currency. It converted to Christianity in 325 or 328 under King Ezana, and was the first state ever to use the image of the cross on its coins. The kingdom used the name “Ethiopia” as early as the 4th century. By 350, Aksum conquered the Kingdom of Kush. Around 520, King Kaleb sent an expedition to Yemen against the Jewish Himyarite King Dhu Nuwas, who was persecuting the Christian/Aksumite community in his kingdom. After several years of military and political struggles, Yemen fell under the rule of Aksumite general Abreha, who continued to promote the Christian faith until his death, not long after which Yemen was conquered by the Persians. According to Munro-Hay these wars may have been Aksum’s swan-song as a great power, with an overall weakening of Aksumite authority and over-expenditure in money and manpower. It is also possible that Ethiopia was affected by the Plague of Justinian around this time, a disease thought to be the first recorded instance of bubonic plague.

[@IllyrianPrince14]

I am a current history student, (already have a bachelors btw working on a masters) and i must say i learn a lot of new things on every video you post. the amount of research that must be done for you to create these videos... respect respect respect x1000 for you my friend. thank you for this channel.

[@illerac84]

This is my new favorite series you guys produce! Keep it going

[@Captdaddyboy]

Kings and Generals. I just want to say that I have been watching your channel and subsidiary channels such as Officially Devin for years now. I have never been more entertained by anything on KZbin then when I watch your episodes.. You have done something unique for KZbin that can be only considered master storytelling. Whether or not you want to acknowledge your accomplishments in teaching others about history is not my business, but it should not be understated. I think that the world is better off with you in it and I hope you don't go away anytime soon. Thank you for everything.

[@christianvago1798]

The main source about these ancient trading cities is 'The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea', in case anyone wants to know more.

[@andrisrubins8022]

Kings and Generals should make more videos about african history before age of discovery.

[@ryanstygar1888]

LOVE this series on the Roman Economy. Well Done!!

[@Vak_g]

This series is extraordinary!!! Its far beyond any other historical documentary in youtube! It helps us to understand ancient world like never before and make us think about nowdays economy. Thank you for this great work! I cant wait for the next video!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@drose2326]

Proud of our Somalian history🇸🇴

[@princegaraad7308]

@@brent123456yo kingdoms ever since converting to Islam. Adal sultanate Sultanate of Mogadishu Ajuraan sultanate (made Mogadishu the richest city in region) Majeerteen sultanate Ifat sultanate Dawaro sultanate Geledi sultanate Gobroon sultanate Hobyo sultanate Dervish state Just because of your stinking ignorance doesn't mean Islam ruined Somalia...we are Muslims since 7th century (1400 years) .... Instead it added to Somalia kingdoms before and after Islam. And since then a rich history of Somalia has been written You are an islamaphobe that's why you will remain ignorant The current situation of Somalia started in 1990 civil war all great nations suffer civil war even Rome but they rose again in a different form and Somalia is improving day by day. So keep hating ignorant islamaphobe every one has their bad days.

[@azakzaak1691]

@@brent123456yo Due to the civil war. Somalia was not the first and certainly not the last to have a civil war. Empires rise and fall. Somalia will rise again same as its glories time. Watch this space !

[@azakzaak1691]

@UCEly-IfhmbUiav5Qa14aHJw If they were not powerful in the past they would not have dominated such a large a territory that stretches from the red sea all the way indian ocean with small populations of just 12m. Who owns the longest coastline in africa 3333 km? Somalia. Why are you hiding your country ? Obviously you are not brave enough to face a Somali. You are one of these Somali haters aren't you ? Nobody really cares what you think.

[@moneytttt1140]

@@princegaraad7308 it did every Christian countries in africa are progressing now look at all the Muslim ones I mean just look around the lol

[@princegaraad7308]

@@moneytttt1140 no African country reach the success that Libya reach and when the reached it they got bomb by NATO... I know your type you just hate Islam and Muslim. While Trying to claim Ancient Egypt knowing deep down you have Zero connection with them. You don't respect your own history... just a vulture of others. And keep hating we are having a bad patch just like the many advanced nation of today saw in the past we are recovering but your heart will never recover from the hate and jealously it has.

[@pelinalwhitestrake1176]

We have been blessed with another video !! Love the the channel been binge watching since I subbed two weeks ago

[@KingsandGenerals]

Welcome aboard!

[@MrTryAnotherOne]

I like that you cover the trade in ancient times. Most often only the armies and wars of the old empires are covered but the interconnected trade is important, too. That's how ideas and innovations were exchanged.

[@ShieldThatGuardsTheRealmOfMen]

Thank you K&G for great videos

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

These are my favorite !!! Since we rarely find ressources for economic and geopolitical history.

[@ezthejedi]

Thank you soooooooooo much for this!! I've been waiting on you guys to talk about Nubia & Axum, this was worth it.....If yall ever decide to talk about the Kingdom of Kush or the Swahili coast trade I'm all here for it!!

[@lyinarbaeldeth2456]

Learning how far contact, trade and cultural influence stretched beyond nominal imperial borders is always fascinating. More like this, please!

[@Coraxincarmine]

Coming back from work, beer and this grand video, that's bliss.

[@heavenwatcher100]

Great episode that had expanded my vision! I hope there will be more episodes about trade and cultural exchange in the future.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! More on the way!

[@CTXVII]

Wow! I never knew the Romans made it that far down the coast of Africa. Crazy to think! Btw great video!!!

[@divingdave2945]

Imagine being a Germanic guy getting caputured after battle by the Romans and then sold to a trader and travel all the way down to the equator. What a huge distance.

[@CTXVII]

Because every single thing in history hasn’t been recorded or some recorded and lost we don’t know if a Roman made it to the Americans by accident like a few years back the found a Roman styled sword in oak island Canada along with a supposedly Roman officer whistle

[@zakariyaabdullahi5669]

I think the Pheonecieans or Carthaginians circumnavigated Africa on the orders of an Eygptian Pharoah

[@michaelweston409]

Amethyst Duck66 since most history is lost it’s a healthy guess that many people did make it to the America’s or traveled to other continents. Their stories just were never recorded.

[@noneedforid]

I absolutely love the focus on economy and trade when looking at history. Back when I was a child, schools used to focus solely on battles, years and names. Adding economy brings so much more context and makes thing so much more interesting!

[@andrewallbright658]

I love these types of videos. I'm excited to see more from this wonderfully run channel. Thanks to everyone who works to produce this content!

[@denniscleary7580]

Another great video to start my day

[@danieltsiprun8080]

Can you make more videos about the history of african kingdoms and states because it is rarely disscused about and whenare you going to finish the israeli wars series ?

[@gameboyhotline3712]

daniel tsiprun I would like to see more about Axum and it’s long and rich history

[@yurisc4633]

You can check the channel "From Nothing", they talk about African kingdoms.

[@danieltsiprun8080]

@@yurisc4633 im already subbed there i need more content.

[@yurisc4633]

Check on their discord server then, lots of contents there.

[@lipingrahman6648]

I love the little illustrations you use for the goods. They are just adorable.

[@benjaminrees6665]

Love the addition of these trade videos!! Well done. Love how you do your battle videos. (Love the cracking troops and sound effects). Great material!!!!!! All very well done and thorough. Also- really like the videos about what life was like such as these trade videos and what people thought snd liked

[@iagosevatar4865]

Extremely interesting about a hardly known subject.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@iagosevatar4865]

@@KingsandGenerals Mmmm touchy question : .... When will you resume the Napoléonic battles video production ? :D ^^

[@KingsandGenerals]

@@iagosevatar4865 Soon :-)

[@thefulanichad]

Great as always. Best historian channel 👏🏾

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@vazak11]

Fascinating to see such often ignored but such incredibly important parts of history explored!

[@michaelweston409]

It’s crazy to think that the ancient worlds trading connections stretched down Africa’s coast as far south as Tanzania & Madagascar. This opens tons of doors in terms the possibilities. Since history is already a murky often not black & white subject there stands possibilities that other ancient civilizations on differs were connected through the various oceans of the time. Fascinating.

[@TheFiresloth]

All those turtle shells remind me of the Rhoynars, in A Song of Ice and Fire.

[@patrickblanchette4337]

TheFiresloth Coukd be the inspiration.

[@kapilshah2816]

extremely new concept of exploring empires trade & business as well as it's route... Big Thank u ...for providing such an content

[@MajorHenryL.]

Bravo! Phenomenal video. Having deployed to East Africa twice I really appreciated this production. I learned quite a bit

[@justcallmeSheriff]

Really shows how connected the Romans were to places we dont really associate with their civilization. People and goods from Africa flowed into an empire eager to use them, leaving their own mark upon its culture

[@docslastname2711]

Do The land of punt next, home of the Gods

[@M.Adam.M937]

The first Somali empire!! I hope he does this!

[@reya720]

Cegesh punt is more than one region and some say it also covered South Yemen

[@artifnti6560]

@@reya720 Not accurate or even realistic lol. Yemen had many empires but Punt definitely wasn't one.

[@rafaelmenna8384]

There is no well documented history about that land except a set of pictures of animals

[@aloknarain139]

A really commendable work on History. ' Kings and Generals ' widens our horizon on historical subjects and excites in us a curiosity and love for knowing the distant past . This is undoubtedly a work of diligent research . The maps are wonderful . Above all, the voice is so clear. Wish this channel my best wishes for giving us enlightening videos on lesser known subjects such as this in future .

[@akernis3193]

I can't praise this series enough! This is such a rich and detailed exploration of a facet of the ancient world that I knew so little about despite it being hugely important. I'm eager for any other videos you guys might do on this subject, whether it be Roman or other civilizations.

[@notgadot]

*civiliSations.

[@bluediamond2999]

Greetings from Africa! Although I am not from Eastern Africa, it was really interesting to see how the Romans influenced this continent as well since it is not talked about a lot.

[@bluediamond2999]

Since most people only know about their conquering of Northern Africa and especially Egypt. I had no idea they traded so far south.

[@azakzaak1691]

@@bluediamond2999 They didn't influence east africa but they have traded with.

[@rakification]

If you look on the map, the Kingdom of Axum was mainly rather in Eritrea than in Ethiopia, but Eritrea could at least have been mentioned...

[@m.a.k1853]

The South's like to claim all the shinning

[@rakification]

@@m.a.k1853 Who are you referring to the "South's"?

[@m.a.k1853]

The Amhara

[@shakushaku2646]

@@m.a.k1853 amhara had nothing to do with axum thier history began with the solomonic empire in the 1300s axum was mostly eritreans and tigrayans lool

[@chestertaylor383]

I thank you for having quality videos and weekly uploads, the episodes on economy are terrific. Keep up the great work!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@jonathanberumen9573]

Absolutely love these types of videos! Please make more!

[@MrBerkan02]

Keep going bro s fan since day 1

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@subramaniana7761]

Please release videos on Roman commerce with Tamil nations in India.In recent excavation at Kezhadi,Tamilnadu,dice,hair comb made up of elephant tusk which correspond the year 300 BC.

[@iamaheretic7829]

They already did a video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3W3koKFi8ergtU How Roman trade with India made the Empire rich

[@maldito_sudaka]

This video is incredible and sends me chills down my spine. It's beautiful just to think about all the connections.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@lukezuzga6460]

Great video, still loving Thur efforts! I really enjoy continuing my education about the Roman Empire. Thx Guys!

[@chevysuarez7306]

normally i'd sleep through economics class unless its related to the romans

[@braxtonfriday8713]

I never knew about ivory backscratchers. Now I feel like a monster for wanting one :/

[@thewarlock539]

LOL I thought it was only me :S

[@SantomPh]

if you're not allergic, get a bamboo one. Sharp as anything and the scratching sound is music.

[@hashimbokhamseen7877]

love this series so insightful

[@shiznagt]

Love your videos man, thanks for the great content

[@lmnop286]

Barbaroi or Barbara was the name of Somalia in antiquity. Its name is preserved in Berbera, a city in northern Somalia. It does not mean Barbarian. And those towns were cities. The sources even distinguish between the "Far-side" ports and villages in between each port. They were ruled by chiefs doesn't mean they're not civilized. Nowhere in the source does it say that. They made mention of their independence.

[@onlyme562]

just about to say the same thing.

[@MB-ei7xl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Adulis is in modern-day Eritrea and not modern-day Ethiopia.

[@MB-ei7xl]

@Admire Kashiri Yes, but Eritrea and Ethiopia have been recognised as 2 separate countries for some time now. Eritreans fought long and hard for independence, for 30 years to be exact. Please don't erase Eritrea's identity. Why not mention modern-day Eritrea as that is clearly what is shown on the map, in the video?

[@BALLARDTWIN]

@@MB-ei7xl not only that but Eritrea was also a separate kingdom known as Medri Bahri for some time aswell

[@shakushaku2646]

@@BALLARDTWIN as a somali its rediculous that ethiopians keep taking credit for your accomplishments axum was eritrean then ertireans created medri bahri and the ethopians went and created thier own the ethiopian empire (solomonic empire)

[@zulacentral]

THANK YOU

[@zulacentral]

So is the city of Koloe they stay taking credits

[@TechnologicZb]

I love these trade videos!!! Please keep them coming!

[@ThePontificius]

I enjoyed this video much more than the tactical ones. Amazing content.

[@gianlucaborg195]

This artwork is impressive. Most impressive, and likewise the detail you delved into. Something I wish to address is the definition of Barbaroi, which actually does not refer to uncivilised people. It is a misconception rather. Barbaroi really only refers to those who could not speak neither Latin nor Roman. The direct translation, albeit difficult can be babbling, A more correct term I believe would be the Greek"Etnoj" which refers to either broad categories of peoples not organised into city-states and it was also used to translate the Hebrew word for "non-Jew" or "non-Hebrew". Better yet, a better term to use for tribes is "tribus" or "gens" and to refer to the so-called germanic tribes, these can be used as well as "natio" or, to a less accurate extent "proles". all these are better than "Etnoj", which in turn more suitable than "barbaroi"

[@azakzaak1691]

Thank you for explaining this word. One of the northern cities in Somalia on red sea (aka city states) on is now called Berbera. North africans people are also called berbers and I wonder if these names have link with this time.

[@gianlucaborg195]

@@azakzaak1691 Berber is indeed related. It originates from the Greek "Barbaros", referring to non-Greek Speakers and it was used to refer to Egyptians for instance and meant specifically foreigner (but foreigners were practically any who did not speak Greek). It mixed with the Arabic word "barbar" and relates also to the English word "Barbarian". As for the link between Berbera, the Somalian city, and the word "Berber", I can only speculate, albeit I would not be surprised if it was the name given by say, the British, and they called it Berbera, to refer to the city as a "City of the Foreigners" but this last bit is only speculation.

[@azakzaak1691]

@@gianlucaborg195 I know for sure that the city was called Berbera before British arrived in Somalia. I heard another genealogical theory but not sure which says it is related with berbers in north africa because some ancient north africans immigrated to north somalia 3000 years ago. DNA research has shown that both populations share eb1b1 haplogroup which is the highest 80% in north africa specially morocco and Somalia and the rest of Somalis are T haplogroup. Genealogy and language studies are useful for tracking historical links.

[@gianlucaborg195]

@@azakzaak1691 They are useful indeed. It could be that they took with them perhaps some Greek notion of Berber, or was thereafter translated to Berbera, perhaps from Greek merchants, or somehow transplanted (in terms of the name) to the city. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd put it down to either Berbers migrated sought, and they established a town, and the name by time got translated, or else, Greek merchants/travellers gave the name and it stuck, perhaps the local lord, king or equivalent keeping the "foreign" name to attract merchants.

[@azakzaak1691]

@@gianlucaborg195 Possibly. It is very interesting north east africa. I will keep reading.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

9:12 *BACKSCRATCHA!?*

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Napoleon I Bonaparte Backscratcha!

[@Leffe123]

Fantastic video, i got goosebumps. Romans seemed so sofisticated in some areas.

[@LanzoYT]

Underrated channel. I dont mind the ads, just keep making amazing videos.

[@pyrrhus3445]

Amazing video can you do a video about Spartacus and the rebellion of slaves ?

[@KingsandGenerals]

Planned!

[@MagaldiMateus]

The latins were gathering dragon glass, prove the germans were rising an army of the dead!

[@namekman01]

actually the germans would've been the wildlings, but with steel

[@namekman01]

@Admire Kashiri i suppose im not entirely opposed to this, but can we agree the Rhoynar of Dorne = Iberians?

[@amazigh8776]

@Admire Kashiri valeria is like atlantis

[@itnotmeitu3896]

The Scots were the original army of the dead

[@kaijixpapa178]

@@namekman01 nah iberia was as latinised as now.

[@robertorojnic4370]

Superb video. Very educational. One of the best ones yet! I absolutely love this channel. Cheers

[@costasvrettakos]

That was one of the most interesting topics you have done!

[@thun8393]

can you do a video about the Empire of Thailand