The political map of Arabia and the Middle East in the third century AD revealed by a Sabaean inscription

A newly discovered Sabaean inscription from Jabal Riyām, Yemen, offers the earliest detailed account of a diplomatic journey across Arabia and the Middle East, dating to approximately 260–280 AD. The text, likely authored by a Ḥumlān tribal dignitary, maps territories traversed during this mission, extending from western and northern Arabia to Palmyra and Mesopotamia. This rare inscription provides unprecedented insights into the political landscape of the region, illuminating the interactions and territorial divisions of the time. The study leverages epigraphic analysis to reconstruct historical movements and geopolitical dynamics, contributing significantly to our understanding of third-century AD Arabia.

Schiettecatte, J., & Arbach, M. (2016). The political map of Arabia and the Middle East in the third century AD revealed by a Sabaean inscription. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 27(2), 176–196. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aae.12071