The South Arabian kingdoms were pivotal in global commerce and culture, controlling vital trade routes and monopolizing the production of frankincense and myrrh, essential for ancient religious practices. Their advanced art, architecture, and irrigation systems, including a monumental dam, reflect a rich civilization that has intrigued historians. The dramatic decline, marked by the dam's damage and subsequent conflicts with the Ethiopian Empire of Axum, set the stage for the rise of Islam as South Arabia faced exhaustion from warfare.
