South Arabia

South Arabia as a general term refers to several regions as currently recognized, in chief the Republic of Yemen; yet it has historically also included Najran, Jizan, and 'Asir which are presently in Saudi Arabia, and Dhofar presently in Oman. The frontiers of South Arabia as linguistically conceived would include the historic peoples speaking the related South Arabian languages as well as neighboring dialects of Arabic, and their descendants. Anciently there was a South Arabian alphabet, which was borrowed by Ethiopia. South Arabia as generally conceived would include the lands inhabited by peoples partaking of its distinctive traditions and culture, which overlap recently demarcated political boundaries.

Yemen or al-yaman means "the south". One etymology derives Yemen from yamin the "right side" as the south is on the right when facing the sunrise; yet this etymology is considered suspect. Another derives Yemen from yumn meaning "felicity" as the region is fertile; indeed the Romans called it Arabia Felix. In an ancient, traditional Arabian genealogy, the people of the peninsula are divided between north and south, those of the north descending from Ishmael and Adnan (from whom Muhammad descended), and those of South Arabia being the descendants of Qahtan or Joktan (Yoqtan) and Jokshan.

Three thousand years ago several different state entities occupied the region of South Arabia, e.g., M'ain, Qataban, Hadhramaut, Saba. In these ancient times South Arabia claimed several notable features: the famous dam at Marib, the cosmopolitan incense trade, as well as the legendary Queen of Sheba. Two thousand years ago the Himyarites became the masters of South Arabia, remaining dominant for several centuries. From Ethiopia across Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar came armies of Axum first in the 3rd-4th centuries, then later in the 6th under King Kaleb who established dominion, c. 520. They were displaced by Persian forces of the Sassanid dynasty, c.575, who also arrived by sea. A half-century later, in the year 6 A.H. (628), the region became Muslim.

History of South Arabia as History of Yemen:

• History of Yemen
• Ancient history of Yemen
• Islamic history of Yemen
• Modern history of Yemen
• Timeline of Yemeni history

Ancient South Arabia, entities or appellation:

• M'ain, Qataban, Hadhramaut, Saba (cf., Sana'a)
• Arabia Felix, Axum, Sasanid

South Arabia, Islamic dynasties:

• Umayyid 661-750
• Abbasid 750-897
• Ziyadid 819-1018
• Sulaihid 1047-1138
• Ayyubid 1174-1228
• Rasulid 1229-1454
• Tahiride 1454-1526

South Arabia, early modern and colonial-era entities:

• Northern
  • Ottoman Empire (1517-1635)
  • Ottoman Empire (1849-, 1872-1918)
• Southern
  • Aden city
    • British India (1839-1930)
    • Colony of Aden (1937-1963)
  • Regional
    • Aden Protectorate (1874-1959)
    • Federation of Arab Emirates of the South (1959-1962)
    • Federation of South Arabia (1962-1967)
    • Protectorate of South Arabia (1963-1967)

South Arabia in the recent history of independent Yemen:

• Unified
  • Republic of Yemen (1990-present)
• Northern
  • Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1918-1962)
  • Yemen Arab Republic (1962-1990)
• Southern
  • Qu'aiti Sultanate (1858-1967)
  • People's Republic of South Yemen (1967-1970)
  • People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1970-1990)
• Other articles
  • Yemenite Reunification (1990)
  • North Yemen & South Yemen
  • Democratic Republic of Yemen (1994)
  • Greater Yemen

South Arabia outside of Yemen:

• Najran, Jizan, 'Asir in Saudi Arabia
• Dhofar in Oman