Ma'rib

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The Bar'an temple in Marib. Built in the 8th century BC and performed its function for nearly 1000 years.
The Bar'an temple in Marib. Built in the 8th century BC and performed its function for nearly 1000 years.
Main article: Ancient history of Yemen

Ma'rib (Arabic: مأرب) is the capital town of the Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen and was the capital of the Sabaean kingdom. It is located at 15°25′0″N, 45°21′0″E, near what is now Yemen's modern capital, Sana'a. It has a current population of 16.794

Contents

[edit] History

The ruins of Old Marib, which lies to the south of the modern city
The ruins of Old Marib, which lies to the south of the modern city
Main article: Sabaeans

The Sabaean kingdom was located in what is now the Aseer region in southwestern Yemen. The Sabaean kings made their capital at Marib, and built great irrigation works such as the Marib dams, whose ruins are still visible. They also built castles and temples in the area, and were known for producing the valuable francincense and myrrh.[1]

In 25 B.C., Aelius Gallus led "an expedition to Marib (Yemen)."[2]

The site of Ancient Marib 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 Marib is located about 3.5 kilometers north of the center of the ancient city.

[edit] 2007 attack

A suicide bomber crashed a car packed with explosives into the tourists' convoy as they were ending a tour of a temple, killing 7 Spanish tourists and their two Yemeni guides in an attack on July 2, 2007. Yemeni officials have blamed al-Qaeda for the attack.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Age of Faith, p. 156
  2. ^ Chris Scarre, The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome (London: Penguin Books, 1995), 9.
  3. ^ Al Jazeera English - News - Al-Qaeda Blamed For Yemen Attack

[edit] References

  • Durant, Will (1950). The Age of Faith: A History of Medieval Civilization -- Christian, Islamic, and Judaic -- from Constantine to Dante: A.D. 325-1300, The Story of Civilization, volume IV. Simon and Schuster.

[edit] External links

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