South Arabia as a general term refers to several regions as currently recognized, in chief the Republic of Yemen; yet it has historically also included Najran, Jizan, and 'Asir which are presently in Saudi Arabia, and Dhofar presently in Oman. The frontiers of South Arabia as linguistically conceived would include the historic peoples speaking the related South Arabian languages as well as neighboring dialects of Arabic, and their descendants. Anciently there was a South Arabian alphabet, which was borrowed by Ethiopia. South Arabia as generally conceived would include the lands inhabited by peoples partaking of its distinctive traditions and culture, which overlap recently demarcated political boundaries.
Yemen or al-yaman means "the south". One etymology derives Yemen from yamin the "right side" as the south is on the right when facing the sunrise; yet this etymology is considered suspect. Another derives Yemen from yumn meaning "felicity" as the region is fertile; indeed the Romans called it Arabia Felix.[1] In an ancient, traditional Arabian genealogy, the people of the peninsula are divided between north and south, those of the north descending from Ishmael and Adnan (from whom Muhammad descended), and those of South Arabia being the descendants of Qahtan or Joktan (Yoqtan) and Jokshan.[2]
Three thousand years ago several different state entities occupied the region of South Arabia, e.g., M'ain, Qataban, Hadhramaut, Saba.[3] In these ancient times South Arabia claimed several notable features, e.g., the famous dam at Marib, the cosmopolitan incense trade, as well as the legendary Queen of Sheba.[4] Two thousand years ago the Himyarites became the masters of South Arabia, remaining for several centuries until displaced by the armies of Axum which landed from nearby Ethiopia; rule by the Ethiopians was followed by that of Persia under the Sassanids, who also arrived by sea.[5] A half-century later, in the year 6 A.H., the region became Muslim.[6]
History of South Arabia as History of Yemen:
- History of Yemen
- Ancient history of Yemen
- Islamic history of Yemen
- Modern history of Yemen
- Timeline of Yemen history
South Arabia in the recent history of Yemen regards these states:
- Unified
- Republic of Yemen (1990-present)
- "North"
- Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1918-1962)
- Yemen Arab Republic (1962-1990)
- South
- People's Republic of South Yemen (1967-1970)
- People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1970-1990)
- Other articles
South Arabia outside of Yemen:
South Arabia may also refer to colonial era entities:
- Northern
- Ottoman Empire (1517-1635)
- Ottoman Empire (1849-, 1872-1918)
- Southern
- Aden city
- British India (1839-1930)
- Colony of Aden (1937-1963)
- Regional
- Aden Protectorate (1874-1959)
- Federation of Arab Emirates of the South (1959-1962)
- Federation of South Arabia (1962-1967)
- Protectorate of South Arabia (1963-1967)
- Aden city
References
- ^ Mackintosh-Smith, Yemen (London: John Murray 1997) at 8.
- ^ Robert G. Hoyland, Arabia and the Arabs (London: Routledge 2001) at 58-59.
- ^ Brian Doe, South Arabia (London: Thames & Hudson 1971) at 60-102.
- ^ Jean-Francois Breton, Arabia Felix (University of Notre Dame 1999) at 13-20, 23; 53-73; 3-5, 41-43.
- ^ al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari, volume V, The Sasanids, the Byzantines, the Lakmids, and Yemen (S.U.N.Y. 1999) at 183-252; Guy Annequin, Little-Known Civilizations of the Red Sea (Geneva: Ferni 1979) at 196-202.
- ^ al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari, volume VIII, The Victory of Islam (S.U.N.Y. 1997) at 114; Sally Ann Baynard, "Historical Setting" in The Yemens: Country Studies (Washington, D.C.: Foreign Area Studies, The American University, c.1985) at 1-89, 3-14.
See also
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