Sabaean and Himyarite frankincense and myrrh trade across the Arabian Sea (c. 900 BCE–600 CE)

1. Sabaʾ rises as a South Arabian trading kingdom

   Jan 1, 900 BCELabels: Sabaeans, Frankincense trade

   • Britannica
   • World History
   • Britannica

2. Maʾrib Dam supports surplus and long-distance exchange

   Jan 1, 750 BCELabels: Ma rib, Sabaeans

   • World History
   • Britannica

3. Caravan-and-coastal system links incense groves to ports

   Jan 1, 500 BCELabels: Incense caravans, Dhofar

   • Britannica
   • UNESCO

4. Sumhuram (Khor Rori) develops as a frankincense harbor

   Jan 1, 300 BCELabels: Sumhuram, Khor Rori

   • UNESCO
   • Khor Rori

5. Himyar becomes dominant in southern Arabia

   Jan 1, 115 BCELabels: Himyar Kingdom, Himyarites

   • Britannica
   • Himyar

6. Sea-route competition weakens inland Sabaean advantages

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Maritime routes, Sabaeans

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

7. Qanāʾ (Cana) expands as a major Hadramawt port

   Jan 1, 50Labels: Qan, Hadramawt

   • Bir Ali
   • UNESCO TL

8. Periplus documents Arabian Sea trade in aromatics

   Jan 1, 60Labels: Periplus of, Merchants

   • Periplus
   • Wikisource
   • Bir Ali

9. Monsoon sailing strengthens regular Arabia–India voyages

   Jan 1, 100Labels: Monsoon winds, Indian Ocean

   • Periplus
   • Britannica

10. Himyar shifts its capital toward Sanaʿa

    Jan 1, 300Labels: Himyar capital, Sana a

    • Britannica
    • Zafar

11. Khor Rori’s port system begins to break down

    Jan 1, 450Labels: Khor Rori, Sumhuram

    • UNESCO
    • Khor Rori

12. Najrān persecution triggers Aksumite intervention

    Jan 1, 520Labels: Najr n, Dh Nuw

    • Britannica
    • Aksumite

13. Aksum conquers Himyar and reshapes regional trade control

    Jan 1, 525Labels: Aksum, Himyar

    • Britannica
    • Aksumite

14. Persian influence ends the older incense-era political order

    Jan 1, 575Labels: Sasanian Persians, Southern Arabia

    • Britannica
    • Himyar