South Arabia (Arabic: جنوب الجزيرة العربية) is a historical region that consists of the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia, mainly centered in what is now the Republic of Yemen, yet it has also historically included Najran, Jizan, Al-Bahah, and 'Asir, which are presently in Saudi Arabia, and Dhofar of present-day Oman.
South Arabia جنوب الجزيرة العربية (Arabic) | |
|---|---|
 Map of South Arabia | |
| Country |  Yemen Saudi Arabia Oman |
South Arabia is inhabited by people possessing distinctive linguistic and ethnic affinities, as well as traditions and culture, transcending recent political boundaries. There are two indigenous language groups: the now extinct Old South Arabian languages and the unrelated Modern South Arabian languages, both members of the Semitic family.
Etymology
The term Yamnat was mentioned in Old South Arabian inscriptions on the title of one of the kings of the second Himyarite Kingdom known as Shammar Yahrʽish II. The term was probably referring to the southwestern coastline of the Arabian peninsula and the southern coastline between Aden and Hadramout. One etymology derives Yemen from ymnt, meaning "South", and significantly plays on the notion of the land to the right (𐩺𐩣𐩬). Other sources claim that Yemen is related to yamn or yumn, meaning "felicity" or "blessed", as much of the country is fertile. The Romans called it Arabia Felix (fertile Arabia), as opposed to Arabia Deserta (deserted Arabia). Classical Latin and Greek writers used the name "India" to refer to South Arabia (ancient Yemen). The use of the term "India" arose from the fact that the Persians called the Abyssinians whom they came into contact in South Arabia by the name of the Cushitic people who lived next to them, i.e., Indians. Southern Arabia was part of Indian Ocean trade routes for millennia. With the advent of the Omani Empire, ties were strengthened between India and the Eastern Coast of Africa and Madagascar.
Before Islam
Three thousand years ago, several ancient states occupied the region of South Arabia, being M'ain, Qataban, Hadhramaut, and Saba. In these ancient times South Arabia claimed several notable features: the famous dam at Marib, the cosmopolitan incense trade, as well as the legendary Queen of Sheba. Two thousand years ago the Himyarites became the masters of South Arabia, dominating the region for several centuries. The Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum invaded South Arabia first in the 3rd–4th centuries, then later in the 6th under King Kaleb who subjugated the region, c. 520. They were displaced by Persian forces of the Sassanid dynasty, c.575, who also arrived by sea. A half-century later, in the year 6 A.H. (628), the region converted to Islam.
Geography
Ancient
Ancient kingdoms and appellations:
- Saba'
- Ma'īn
- Qatabān
- Ḥaḑramawt
- Awsān
- Himyar
- Arabia Felix (the term the Romans used to refer to South Arabia)
Pre-Islamic foreign occupiers:
- Axum (3rd–4th, 6th centuries)
- Sasanian Empire (6th–7th centuries).
Islamic dynasties
- Umayyad 661–750
- Abbasid 750–897
- Ziyadid 819–1022
- Zaydi Imams 897-1962
- Najahid 1022-1158
- Sulaihid 1047–1138
- Zurayid 1083-1193
- Mahdids 1159–1174
- Ayyubid 1174–1228
- Rasulid 1229–1454
- Tahiride 1454–1526
Early modern and colonial
- Northern
- Yemen Eyalet, Ottoman Empire (1517–1635)
- Yemeni Zaidi State (1597–1849)
- Yemen Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (1849–, 1872–1918)
- Principality of Najran (1633–1934)
- Southern
- Aden city
- Aden Province (1839–1937)
- Colony of Aden (1937–1963)
- Regional
- Sultanate of Lahej (1728–1967)
- 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
Modern
Yemen:
- Unified
- Republic of Yemen (1990–present)
- Northern
- Idrisid Emirate (1906–1934)
- Sheikdom of Upper Asir (1916–1920)
- Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1918–1970)
- Yemen Arab Republic (1962–1990)
- Southern
- Qu'aiti Sultanate (1858–1967)
- People's Republic of South Yemen (1967–1970)
- People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1970–1990)
- Other articles
- Yemeni Unification (1990)
- North Yemen and South Yemen
- Democratic Republic of Yemen (1994)
- Greater Yemen
- South Yemen insurgency
- Houthi insurgency in Yemen (2015)
Beyond Yemen:
- Najran, Jizan, 'Asir, Al-Bahah in Saudi Arabia
- Dhofar in Oman
See also
- List of Yemen-related topics
- Official Website of the Al-Quaiti Royal Family of Hadhramaut
References
- Jawād ʻAlī (1968) [Digitized 17 February 2007]. الـمـفـصـّل في تـاريـخ العـرب قبـل الإسـلام [Detailed history of Arabs before Islam] (in Arabic). Vol. 1. Dār al-ʻIlm li-l-Malāyīn. p. 171.
- Neuwirth, Angelika; Sinai, Nicolai; Marx, Michael (2010). The Qur??n in Context: Historical and Literary Investigations Into the Qur??nic Milieu. BRILL. ISBN 9789004176881.
- Smith, William Robertson. Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia. p. 193. ISBN 1117531937.
He was worshiped by the Madhij and their allies at Jorash (Asir) in Northern Yemen
- Beeston, A.F.L.; Ghul, M.A.; Müller, W.W.; Ryckmans, J. (1982). Sabaic Dictionary. University of Sanaa, YAR. p. 168. ISBN 2-8017-0194-7.
- Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (2007). Enemies from the East?: V. S. Soloviev on Paganism, Asian Civilizations, and Islam. Northwestern University Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780810124172.
- Edward Balfour (1873). Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, Commercial, Industrial and Scientific: Products of the Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures, Band 5. Printed at the Scottish & Adelphi presses. p. 240.
- Origin Of Islam In Its Christian Environment Bell, Richard p.g 34
- "Indian Ocean Trade Routes".
- "William the Rebel: Musandam: The isolated land of the Shihuh". 19 December 2016.
- 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), in Yemen: Ethiopian conquest at 179, 182–183, 204–208, 212; Persia over al-Habashah at 159–160, 236–249.
- Stuart Munro-Hay, Aksum. An African civilization of late antiquity (Edinburgh Univ. 1991) at 71–74, 76–77 (3rd century), at 78–80 (4th century), at 84–88 (6th century).
- Sally Ann Baynard, "Historical Setting" in The Yemens: Country Studies (Washington, D.C.: Foreign Area Studies, The American University, c.1985) 1–89, at 3–14: Ethiopians at 11–12 (4th century for 4 decades, 6th century for about 50 years); Persians at xiii, 12.
- al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari, volume VIII, The Victory of Islam (S.U.N.Y. 1997) at 114 (became Muslim).
- Abū Muḥammad ʿAbd al-Malik b. Hishām, al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya. 3rd edition. 4 vols. (Beirut: Dār Ṣādir, 2010), 1:60-66; Fred M. Donner, Muhammad and The Believers: At the Origins of Islam (Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2012), 34; G.W. Bowersock, The Throne of Adulis: Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam (Oxford University Press, 2013), 117.
Further reading
- Schiettecatte, Jeremie (2011). D’Aden à Zafar. Villes d’Arabie du Sud pré islamique. Orient et Méditerranée.
South Arabia Arabic جنوب الجزيرة العربية is a historical region that consists of the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia mainly centered in what is now the Republic of Yemen yet it has also historically included Najran Jizan Al Bahah and Asir which are presently in Saudi Arabia and Dhofar of present day Oman South Arabia جنوب الجزيرة العربية Arabic Historical region of ArabiaMap of South ArabiaCountry Yemen Saudi Arabia Oman South Arabia is inhabited by people possessing distinctive linguistic and ethnic affinities as well as traditions and culture transcending recent political boundaries There are two indigenous language groups the now extinct Old South Arabian languages and the unrelated Modern South Arabian languages both members of the Semitic family EtymologyThe term Yamnat was mentioned in Old South Arabian inscriptions on the title of one of the kings of the second Himyarite Kingdom known as Shammar Yahrʽish II The term was probably referring to the southwestern coastline of the Arabian peninsula and the southern coastline between Aden and Hadramout One etymology derives Yemen from ymnt meaning South and significantly plays on the notion of the land to the right 𐩺𐩣𐩬 Other sources claim that Yemen is related to yamn or yumn meaning felicity or blessed as much of the country is fertile The Romans called it Arabia Felix fertile Arabia as opposed to Arabia Deserta deserted Arabia Classical Latin and Greek writers used the name India to refer to South Arabia ancient Yemen The use of the term India arose from the fact that the Persians called the Abyssinians whom they came into contact in South Arabia by the name of the Cushitic people who lived next to them i e Indians Southern Arabia was part of Indian Ocean trade routes for millennia With the advent of the Omani Empire ties were strengthened between India and the Eastern Coast of Africa and Madagascar Before IslamSouth Arabian forehead ornament probably late 1800s made of gold pearls turquoise gemstones exhibited in the Dallas Museum of Art Dallas Texas US Three thousand years ago several ancient states occupied the region of South Arabia being M ain Qataban Hadhramaut and Saba In these ancient times South Arabia claimed several notable features the famous dam at Marib the cosmopolitan incense trade as well as the legendary Queen of Sheba Two thousand years ago the Himyarites became the masters of South Arabia dominating the region for several centuries The Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum invaded South Arabia first in the 3rd 4th centuries then later in the 6th under King Kaleb who subjugated the region c 520 They were displaced by Persian forces of the Sassanid dynasty c 575 who also arrived by sea A half century later in the year 6 A H 628 the region converted to Islam GeographyAncient Ancient kingdoms and appellations Saba Ma in Qataban Ḥaḑramawt Awsan Himyar Arabia Felix the term the Romans used to refer to South Arabia Pre Islamic foreign occupiers Axum 3rd 4th 6th centuries Sasanian Empire 6th 7th centuries Islamic dynasties Umayyad 661 750 Abbasid 750 897 Ziyadid 819 1022 Zaydi Imams 897 1962 Najahid 1022 1158 Sulaihid 1047 1138 Zurayid 1083 1193 Mahdids 1159 1174 Ayyubid 1174 1228 Rasulid 1229 1454 Tahiride 1454 1526Early modern and colonial Flag of Federation of South Arabia Protectorate of British Empire Northern Yemen Eyalet Ottoman Empire 1517 1635 Yemeni Zaidi State 1597 1849 Yemen Vilayet Ottoman Empire 1849 1872 1918 Principality of Najran 1633 1934 Southern Aden city Aden Province 1839 1937 Colony of Aden 1937 1963 Regional Sultanate of Lahej 1728 1967 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 Modern Yemen Unified Republic of Yemen 1990 present Northern Idrisid Emirate 1906 1934 Sheikdom of Upper Asir 1916 1920 Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen 1918 1970 Yemen Arab Republic 1962 1990 Southern Qu aiti Sultanate 1858 1967 People s Republic of South Yemen 1967 1970 People s Democratic Republic of Yemen 1970 1990 Other articles Yemeni Unification 1990 North Yemen and South Yemen Democratic Republic of Yemen 1994 Greater Yemen South Yemen insurgency Houthi insurgency in Yemen 2015 Beyond Yemen Najran Jizan Asir Al Bahah in Saudi Arabia Dhofar in OmanSee alsoList of Yemen related topics Official Website of the Al Quaiti Royal Family of HadhramautReferencesJawad ʻAli 1968 Digitized 17 February 2007 الـمـفـصـ ل في تـاريـخ العـرب قبـل الإسـلام Detailed history of Arabs before Islam in Arabic Vol 1 Dar al ʻIlm li l Malayin p 171 Neuwirth Angelika Sinai Nicolai Marx Michael 2010 The Qur n in Context Historical and Literary Investigations Into the Qur nic Milieu BRILL ISBN 9789004176881 Smith William Robertson Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia p 193 ISBN 1117531937 He was worshiped by the Madhij and their allies at Jorash Asir in Northern Yemen Beeston A F L Ghul M A Muller W W Ryckmans J 1982 Sabaic Dictionary University of Sanaa YAR p 168 ISBN 2 8017 0194 7 Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov 2007 Enemies from the East V S Soloviev on Paganism Asian Civilizations and Islam Northwestern University Press p 149 ISBN 9780810124172 Edward Balfour 1873 Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia Commercial Industrial and Scientific Products of the Mineral Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms Useful Arts and Manufactures Band 5 Printed at the Scottish amp Adelphi presses p 240 Origin Of Islam In Its Christian Environment Bell Richard p g 34 Indian Ocean Trade Routes William the Rebel Musandam The isolated land of the Shihuh 19 December 2016 Brian Doe South Arabia London Thames amp 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 in Yemen Ethiopian conquest at 179 182 183 204 208 212 Persia over al Habashah at 159 160 236 249 Stuart Munro Hay Aksum An African civilization of late antiquity Edinburgh Univ 1991 at 71 74 76 77 3rd century at 78 80 4th century at 84 88 6th century Sally Ann Baynard Historical Setting in The Yemens Country Studies Washington D C Foreign Area Studies The American University c 1985 1 89 at 3 14 Ethiopians at 11 12 4th century for 4 decades 6th century for about 50 years Persians at xiii 12 al Tabari The History of al Tabari volume VIII The Victory of Islam S U N Y 1997 at 114 became Muslim Abu Muḥammad ʿAbd al Malik b Hisham al Sira al Nabawiyya 3rd edition 4 vols Beirut Dar Ṣadir 2010 1 60 66 Fred M Donner Muhammad and The Believers At the Origins of Islam Cambridge Belknap Press of Harvard University Press 2012 34 G W Bowersock The Throne of Adulis Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam Oxford University Press 2013 117 Further readingSchiettecatte Jeremie 2011 D Aden a Zafar Villes d Arabie du Sud pre islamique Orient et Mediterranee
