Ruins of Marib, Yemen
Marib is the capital city of Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen. It was the capital of the ancient Sabaean kingdom, which some scholars believe to be the ancient Sheba of biblical fame. It is located approximately 120 kilometers east of Yemen's modern capital, Sana'a, and has a current population of 16,794. Ma'rib has been referred to as "the Al Qaeda capital of Yemen".
The Sabaean kings made their capital at Ma'rib, and built great irrigation works such as the Ma'rib dams, whose ruins are still visible. The Marib Dam supported a flourishing culture for more than a thousand years; its collapse in 575 AD, before the birth of Muhammad, may be one of the main reasons that Arabia did not become Christian. They also built castles and temples in the area, notably Awwam and Barran, respectively. Saba was known for dealing in the lucrative frankincense and myrrh trade. They were a seafaring people and were known to have influence and a population in the Northeast African kingdom of Dʿmt, across the Red Sea in Eritrea and Ethiopia, the only other source of both frankincense and myrrh.
In 25 B.C, Aelius Gallus of Rome led an expedition to Ma'rib, laying siege to the city. He suffered major losses and was forced to retreat to Egypt.
The site of ancient Ma'rib was largely abandoned during the 20th century. Although a small village remains, the multi-story mud-brick buildings of the historic city are largely in ruins. The modern city of Ma'rib is located about 3.5 kilometers north of the center of the ancient city.
Ruins of Marib, Yemen
Marib is the capital city of Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen. It was the capital of the ancient Sabaean kingdom, which some scholars believe to be the ancient Sheba of biblical fame. It is located approximately 120 kilometers east of Yemen's modern capital, Sana'a, and has a current population of 16,794. Ma'rib has been referred to as "the Al Qaeda capital of Yemen".
The Sabaean kings made their capital at Ma'rib, and built great irrigation works such as the Ma'rib dams, whose ruins are still visible. The Marib Dam supported a flourishing culture for more than a thousand years; its collapse in 575 AD, before the birth of Muhammad, may be one of the main reasons that Arabia did not become Christian. They also built castles and temples in the area, notably Awwam and Barran, respectively. Saba was known for dealing in the lucrative frankincense and myrrh trade. They were a seafaring people and were known to have influence and a population in the Northeast African kingdom of Dʿmt, across the Red Sea in Eritrea and Ethiopia, the only other source of both frankincense and myrrh.
In 25 B.C, Aelius Gallus of Rome led an expedition to Ma'rib, laying siege to the city. He suffered major losses and was forced to retreat to Egypt.
The site of ancient Ma'rib was largely abandoned during the 20th century. Although a small village remains, the multi-story mud-brick buildings of the historic city are largely in ruins. The modern city of Ma'rib is located about 3.5 kilometers north of the center of the ancient city.