Sheba, or Saba, is a region of high mountains and vast deserts situated in the southwest of the Arabian peninsula, in present-day Yemen. In the ancient Mediterranean world it was the fabled source of merchant caravans laden with aromatic spices. The mysteries and riches of Sheba and its people figured in the works of classical authors like Herodotus, and enticed the likes of King Solomon, Alexander the Great, the Emperor Augustus, and kings of Ethiopia and Byzantium. From the eighth century B.C. to the first century A.D., the kingdom of Sheba dominated other realms in Southern Arabia, imposing its language, institutions, and artistic forms throughout the region.In Arabia Felix from the Time of the Queen of Sheba, Jean-Francois Breton provides us with a fascinating and detailed description of this remote civilization, the uniqueness of the region's geography and climate, and the major events that shaped its history. Calling on the resources of modern archeological discoveries, he offers valuable insights into the Sabeans' daily life, their agriculture and skill in irrigation, their customs and religion, their modes of commerce, and their relations with neighboring civilizations.
