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Oman: The Land of Frankincense - Tony Walsh
While Oman is perhaps the most mysterious corner of the Arabian peninsula to Westerners, the country retains a strong sense of identity, a pride in its ancient past, and unique surprises in the domain of cultural heritage. In this exclusive...
Definition
Arabia
The ancient Arabians, or Arabes as they were called by the Hellenes, were a Semitic people. One must note that the Arabians were not a single people but multiple smaller kingdoms and tribes. Arabia was home to great city builders and nomads...
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Tomb of the Lion of Kuza, Hegra
The Tomb of the Lion of Kuza (Qasr al-Farid) is a 1st-century CE Nabatean unfinished tomb carved into a single huge rock in Hegra (Madain Saleh) in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Nabatea's second capital after Petra. Qasr al-Farid is isolated...
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Jabal al-Ahmar Necropolis in Hegra
The Jabal al-Ahmar Necropolis in Hegra (Mada'in Salih) in modern-day Saudi Arabia is one of the four necropolis areas to have survived. It contains 18 tombs, some of which were recently uncovered. The remains of a 2,000-year-old Nabatean...
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Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra
The Qasr al-Bint necropolis in Hegra (Mada'in Salih) in modern-day Saudi Arabia is one of the four necropolis areas to have survived. Qasr al-Bint consists of 31 Nabatean tombs dating from 1 to 58 CE. The tombs include fine inscriptions concerning...
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Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra
Two tomb façades in Qasr al-Bint (Tombs 21 & 22), one of the necropolises of Hegra (Mada'in Salih) in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Tomb 22 (right) is the oldest dated façade in Hegra (along with Tomb 39). It was carved in 1 BCE, the 9th year...
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Gates of the Prophet's Mosque, Medina
Photo of the inscription on the gates of the Mosque of the Prophet (Arabic: Al-Masjid an-Nabawī) in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The inscription has the name of Prophet Muhammad, followed by his title "the apostle of God". A black vignette has...
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Prophetic Mosque in Medina, Ottoman Era
A 19th Century CE drawing of the Mosque of the Prophet (Arabic: Al-Masjid an-Nabawī) in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The Mosque of the Prophet was originally founded in 622 CE by Prophet Muhammad, and underwent numerous expansions and renovations...
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Barzan Palace by Gertrude Bell
A photograph by Gertrude Bell (l. 1868-1926) of the Barzan Palace, Hai'l, Saudi Arabia. Taken in the winter of 1913-14. (Gertrude Bell Archive)
Article
Legions of Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, & Arabia
As the Roman Empire expanded further eastward, annexing territories that were once the domain of the Parthians, the legions of Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, and Arabia were called upon to safeguard these newly acquired territories. Mesopotamia...