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Arabia & the CaliphatesAsia

Kingdom of Saba (Sheba)

Also known as Sheba, Sabaean Kingdom

c. 1000 BCE – c. 275 CE · about 1275 years approximate dates

Saba was an ancient South Arabian kingdom in Yemen, famous for the Marib Dam and the incense trade. The Qur'an (27:20–44) and the Bible describe a Queen of Saba who visited Sulayman. Saba was eventually absorbed by the Himyarite Kingdom.

Key facts

Datesc. 1000 BCE – c. 275 CE
RegionArabia & the Caliphates
ContinentAsia
CapitalMarib
Religion(s)South Arabian polytheism

Note on dates: Start date is uncertain (c. 1000–800 BCE); inscriptions securely attest Saba from about the 8th century BCE.

Before & after

Followed by

Himyarite Kingdom

In the Islamic timeline

  • Prophet Sulayman (AS) — The Qur'an (Surah al-Naml 27:20–44) recounts the Queen of Saba coming to Sulayman; dating traditional and disputed.

Sources

Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.