The peninsula of South Arabia was once a happy region, Felix Arabia, according ancient Roman authors. The Kingdom of Sheba was one of the richest territories, queen Bilqis was a famous (mythical) person and merchants transported their luxurious goods by huge caravans to the Mediterranean and far beyond. The Kingdom covered the territory of present-day Yemen. Advanced irrigation and farming technics established a rich agriculture, as was the case in Egypt, Iraq and Syria as well. The exhibition shows this forgotten past of this country in turmoil and decline.
Incense burner with camel rider (3rd cent. CE), © The Trustees of the British Museum, London.