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Queen of Sheba
The Queen of Sheba is the monarch mentioned in the Bible and then in later works who travels to Jerusalem to experience the wisdom of King Solomon (c. 965-931 BCE) of Israel first-hand. The queen is first mentioned in I Kings 10:1-13 and...
Video
The Horse: From Arabia to Royal Ascot
Exhibition curator Nigel Tallis introduces The horse: from Arabia to Royal Ascot. A free exhibition at the British Museum until 20 September 2012.
Article
Caesarea Maritima's Role in the Mediterranean Trade
Caesarea Maritima was located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Built from the ground up in 22-10 BCE by Rome's client king, Herod the Great (r. 37-4 BCE), its location in relation to ship traffic and proximity to historical...
Definition
Kingdom of Nabatea
The Nabatean Kingdom was a powerful political entity which flourished in the region of modern-day Jordan between the 4th century BCE and c. 106 CE and is best known today for the ruins of its capital city of Petra. Although it is clear that...
Definition
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic-monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah (l. 570-632 CE, after whose name Muslims traditionally add “peace be upon him” or, in writing, PBUH). Alongside Christianity and Judaism...
Article
Caesarea Maritima's Role in the Roman Empire
Caesarea Maritima, the city Herod the Great (r. 37-4 BCE) built for Rome on the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean served as the Roman Empire's powerbase of operations both commercially and militarily. With Rome's ultimate goal of adding...
Definition
Ridda Wars
The Ridda Wars or the Wars of Apostasy (632-633 CE) were a series of military engagements between the armies of the Rashidun Caliphate (632-661 CE) and the renegade tribes of Arabia. The rebels had renounced their allegiance with the nascent...
Definition
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is an eyewitness account of ancient travel to Africa and India via the Red Sea written by an unknown Greek-speaking Egyptian author in the 1st century CE. In this detailed account, the conditions of the...
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AlUla Oasis
AlUla Oasis, photograph by Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arabia. AlUla, an oasis in north-west Arabia with a history as a crossroads for travellers on pilgrimage and incense routes, is returning to prominence through a comprehensive...
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Ruins of Qurh
Ruins of Qurh, photograph by Royal Commission of AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Remains of the Islamic city of Qurh in the AlUla area of Saudi Arabia. This settlement was mentioned in early Islamic sources, a testemant to its ancient origins.