History Of Yemen

The history of Yemen is poorly understood because the sources are relatively rare and fragmented.

Prehistory

The earliest archaeological evidence of human presence seems to date back 000 years to 700 BC. AD as evidenced by the site of Hadramaut Wadi Dowans (east). It was also discovered several cave sites in Saada dating from around 7000 BC. BC, also featuring many Neolithic stone tools in the desert of Al-Khali Khub (north-east of Yemen). Finally, prehistorians think that the domestication of cattle had to be done at the same time as evidenced by the traces found in the Khawlan (north-western Yemen).

The Bronze Age seems to begin between 3000 and 1200 BC. AD because archaeologists have found some bronze idols sites of small villages that were engaged in irrigated agriculture. We also know that it was during this time that the Semitic people ( Semites ) completed their long migration. Thus, Yemen saw the development of so-called culture of Sabr along the coastline.

Antiquity

Yemeni Kingdoms III Nos. AD. THIS AD.

First Sabaean kingdom (existence disputed)

The first real kingdom of Yemen was the first kingdom Sabean Mareb to -1500 BC. BC According to experts, the biblical story of the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem to see King Solomon (late ^tenth century BC.) tend to show his power. The identification of the kingdom of Saba Sabe that is not certain since the first real mention of it comes from the Assyrian inscriptions of -750 BC. AD. The twelfth ^centuryBC. BC to the ^tenth century BC. AD takes place the first appearance of monumental inscriptions in the coastal cities familiar to -750 BC. BC a remarkable architectural development based on the stone. Note the correlation between this development, which could have required an organized central power, and the simultaneous appearance in the inscriptions of the title of " Mukkarib (unifying).

United Sabaean history

The foundations date back to proven historical -716 BC. AD when Mukkarib Ythiamar king of Saba, pays tribute to the Assyrian Sargon II. Is he the one who financed the excavation at the same time of taking the rock of the south bank of the wadi Dahana? Currently, it is integrated into the lock of the southern dike of Marib. In fact, many historians believe that this intake was perhaps one of the first elements of a dam, which would make it the first dam built in the known world.

Already, centrifugal forces seem to threaten the unity of the kingdom since to -700 BC. AD Karibl Watar, Dhamar'al son, has launched two campaigns against the city of Nashan to reduce the desire for independence from it. He appealed to the aid of the city of Haram and Dekaminah. Then, from -689 to -681 BC. BC, he founded the Sabaean empire with its capital Maryab (or Mareb), after having destroyed the kingdom of Awsan. This is the first truly unified Yemeni government certified.

This empire suffered an attack of Hadramaut , which makes a brief dominance in the mid- ^sixth century BC. BC with two foreign kings who sit on the throne of Maryab. They also had to deal with the penetration of new foreign tribe (of Arab descent?), One of which moved to Ma'in Qarnaw and founded a new kingdom competitor. She dominated the cities Yathill (Baraqish) and Nashan (As-Sauda). However, this very kingdom merchant recognized the suzerainty of the Kingdom of Saba and became it seems his vassal.

Era of Qataban

Bronze Lion ridden by a child. Sculpture of the era Qataban to 75-50 BC.

This age of prosperity seems to end in ^the fifth century BC. AD with a violent period of war and instability. The South Arabian kingdom of Saba, Qataban , Main and Hadramaut fighting against each other to establish their domination over the region and cause a massive drop sites Kuhl, Ararat, Kutal, Inabba, which proves the importance of this violent struggle. Finally, the kingdom Qataban who won and established a hegemony which lasted from -500 to -110 BC. AD

During the era Qataban , artistic heyday for Yemen , a new currency is made in the mid- ^fourth century BC. AD That tends to show the vitality of caravan trade between Yemen and the entire Arabian Peninsula. But the power of Qataban must deal with other kingdoms certainly subject but relatively autonomous, and maintain complex relationships between them. This prevents them from dealing effectively with external dangers. Thus, about -200 BC. BC, the kingdom of Haram is destroyed by the invasion of several Arab tribes, including that of Amir. These tribes, which will be submitted promptly under the tutelage Sabean, impose new cults as shown in the main temple in the Haram in which the cult Matabnatiyn is replaced by Halfan, god of the newcomers.

Finally, it was the ^second century BC. AD that really unify the kingdoms Yemen under the domination of Sheba. Even if it can not prevent the intrusion of new Arab tribes in the Jawf , Saba gradually imposing his authority. With the disappearance -120 BC. BC the kingdom of Ma'in, the whole of Jawf , which is under the control of Sheba. Aristocracy Sabean appropriates regions Nashan, Nashq Manhiyat and the rest is left to the nomadic tribes. As for Qataban , it explodes with dark and the secession of Himyar in -110 BC. AD which supersedes and terminates its hegemony.

The hegemony of Hadramaut

The next period seems to be marked initially by many major upheavals since the fall of Qataban follows the destruction of many major sites such as Raybun in Hadramaut. The new deal also allows the emergence of the small kingdom of Awsan. But ultimately, it's a new era of commercial prosperity and caravan opens with two major factors: firstly the increasing expansion of the Roman Empire which, with the capture of Egypt and the Asia Minor , offers a huge market opportunity and, secondly, the development of China and of India. In fact, the Yemen discovered a place that most central hub boosts its cities. This explains the aborted attempt to Rome to put trust in the region by launching -26 Ave. BC an expedition under Aelius Gallus , who occupied a time Nashan and Yathill.

Therefore, the kingdom of Hadramaut embarked on a policy of hegemony in the early ^first century AD during the reign of Yashurl Yuharish who extended his power until now Zafar Oman. Before his power, small independent kingdoms were united again like Himyar and Zafar. This hegemony was not done in consensus, on the contrary as evidenced by the violent destruction in the Jawf (only Nashan , Nashq and Manhiyat are still inhabited permanently). In addition, Himyar embarked on a political settlement, bursting into Eritrea colonies on the coast to 45 AD which does not survive.

The first sign of weakening of Hadramaut seems to appear in 74 with the founding of the principality of Radman followed to 100 AD to the restoration of the Kingdom of Sheba. Again, the conflict had to be violent because other sites were abandoned as Haram and Kaminah.

But Hadramaut resumed its control by destroying definitely in 175 on Qataban. Only Himyar seems to have been powerful enough to counter its hegemony. Under the reign of Il'azz Yalut qu'Hadramaout flourished politics and culture.

Then it's a long decline: in 230 , King of Saba Sha're Awtar broke its alliance with the Hadramaut and captured Shabwa and Qani then launched the first expeditions against the Arabs of the desert. But the comeback of Sheba was only a fleeting moment finally broken by the kings Himyaritic Yasir Yuhan'm and son Shammi Yuharish which annexed Saba. Then the Hadramaut could not prevent the Abyssinian occupation of 200 to 275 the coast of Yemen Western. Finally, the inevitable conflict of Hadramaut against the rising power Himyar saw the destruction first. The sovereign Himyarite, Shammi Yuharish , conquering the Hadramaut, unifies for the first time all of southern Arabia, thus forming Himyarite Empire in the early fourth ^century.

The pre-Islamic Yemen

Empire Himyarite inaugurates the great heyday of Yemen as the pre-Islamic point of view of the territory, covering much of the southern peninsula of Arabia , and cultural or commercial.

Economically, it is certain that trade will continue even if there is severe setback. Indeed, ⁱⁿ the fourth century, the South Arabian coinage ceases. Worse, the system of irrigated agriculture centuries that allowed to stop the increasing desertification of the region tends to be less well maintained: the first break in the dam of Marib took place during the reign of Tharan Yuhanim in 360, the second in January 456 the reign of Sharahbi'l Ya'far son of As'ad Abkarib. But diplomatic and commercial contacts with Rome are increasing as the embassy of Theophilus 339-344 sent by the emperor Roman.

Politically, the empire extended from 440 to 450 with shipments Abkarib As'ad, son of Malkkarib Yuhanim, and his son Hassan Yuhanim that extend the power of Himyar in Central Arabia. To better ensure their control, they founded a principality assigned to hujra, Prince kindite.

It is the religious question that shows how Yemen was the scene of many influences. First, in 380, and his co-regents Abkarib As'ad convert to Judaism. This first revolution put an end to polytheism ancestral; the great temples are not only abandoned but destroyed. Then, gradually diffuses the Christianity which is seen as a cult and fought as such. Thus, about 470 a place of martyrdom in the reign of Azqir Sharahbi'l Ya'far. A fight broke out between Christians and religious Jews against the backdrop of civil war. From 519, the King of Ethiopia Kaled Ella Asbeha actively supports coup Christian Madkarib Yafur the throne. In June 522, he will be executed by the Jewish monarch Yusuf As'ar Yath'ar who hastened to consolidate his power by launching a great persecution of Christians whose peak is in November 523 with the martyrdom of Saint Aretha to Najran.

The ^sixth century saw therefore develop disorders religious importance but also a political decline of the empire. Already, 500 , Nashan sites, and Nashq Manhiyat are gradually abandoned, evident signs of decline. Then the Christian Madkarib Yafur must launch a punitive expedition in Saudi central to chastise the revolt in June 521 kindite of Jewish al-Harith, who refused to recognize his usurpation. With the Jewish king Yusuf As'ar Yath'ar is Najran who refuses to submit in July 523. Finally, the Empire remains powerless to counter the great invasion by Abyssinians mandated by the Basileus in 525. King Yusuf suicide.

The Christianity and implanted with foreign forces, sweeping away the last remaining Jewish forced to convert or leave. King was inducted Sumyafa Ashwa. Disturbances grow it to fortify the 531 Qani (Bir Ali) but it will be overthrown in 535 by the head of the expeditionary Abyssinian always present, Abraha. It was he who transferred the capital of Zafar in Sanaa.

The reign of Abraha seems to mark a pause in the long decline of the Empire, sorely tried by the civil and religious war. New work scope are implemented that demonstrate the revival of the Empire Himyarite: repair to 549 in March Marib Dam before making a complete dissection of the old dam 558.

The Abyssinian occupation is not well accepted. Thus, in 570, a Yemeni Jewish prince, Sayf ibn Dhi Yaz'an also uses the Persians to expel the Abyssinians, which results in the invasion Persian Sassanid the country that overthrew the Abyssinian king Masruq.

571 to 632, is the great period of domination Persian Sassanid. It seems even nominally control the country knows no revolt, but its decline continued until the catastrophe of 620. This date marks the definitive break of the dam at Marib that ends irrigated agriculture on a large scale. The country will suffer the brunt of desertification in a few years longer interrupted by the clever network of canals that made him green.

Islamic Era

The Caliphate (632-897)

The Sulaihides (1047-1138)

^Twelfth century : Epistle to the Jews of Yemen to Moses Maimonides.

The Ayyubid dynasty (1175-1229)

In 1174 , the Ayyubid Saladin is more or less open revolt against Nur ad-Din and sent his brother-Daula Shems Turan Shah the conquest of Yemen in order to have a fallback position in case of defeat by Nur ad-Din. This conveniently dies just before invading Egypt, but Yemen remains a possession Ayyubid Saladin that allows to control the roads leading to Mecca. On the death of Shem al-Daula, Yemen Saladin says to another brother Saif al-Ishim Tughtebin. The latter died in 1202, while announcing the arrival of a new crusade and the fighting between Al-Adel , Saladin's brother and the latter's son, and Yemen to the two passes of Tughtebin son, who died shortly after , then Ghazi ibn Jebail, married the widow of Tughtebin. Although Yemen is thus passed to a non Ayyubid, it seems that Al-Adel has attempted to use an action to Yemen, although he is at peace with the Franks.

Ghazi's death, his widow remarried Suleyman, an Ayyubid a younger branch, but al-Kamil , then governor of Egypt on behalf of his father sends his son Malik al-Yusuf Ma'sud to resume control of Yemen. It seems that when he died in 1229, his son had continued to reign there, but then began to control Rasoulid the south and Yusuf, the last emir, was to control the north of Yemen.

List of emirs of Yemen Ayyubid

• 1174-1181: Shems ad-Dawla Turan-Shah ( 1181), brother of Saladin
• 1181-1202: Saif al-Ishim Tughtebin ( 1202), brother of the above
• 1202-1203: Malik el-Mu'izz Ismail ( 1203), son of the previous
• 1203-1203: El-Nasir ( 1203), brother of the above
• 1203-1214: Ghazi ibn Jebail, second husband of the widow of Tughtebin
• 1214-1216: Suleiman ( 1250), Ayyubid (great grand-nephew of Saladin), third husband of the widow Tughtebin
• 1216-1229: Malik al-Yusuf Ma'sud ( 1229), son of Al-Kamil
• 1229-1240: Yusuf, son of the previous

The Rassoulides (1226-1454)

The Taherid (1446-1717)

The Ottomans (1538-1635)

The Ottomans (1872-1918)

XIX ^century

XX ^century

The independent North Yemen (1918-1990)

The northern part of Yemen was nominally subject to the Ottoman Empire until 1918. The Imam Zaidi , Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din , who headed de facto northern Uganda since 1904, created the kingdom of Yemen mutawakkilite. He affirmed the country's independence by signing treaties with Italy and managed to keep the border despite a military defeat against the Saudi Arabia. After his assassination in 1948, his son Ahmad bin Yahya became king and approached the Soviet bloc. In 1949, a large emigration of Jews from Yemen to Israel took place.

After the assassination of Ahmad bin Yahya , the arrival of his son Muhammad al-Badr in 1962 on the throne marked the beginning of the civil war. The monarchy Shiite (Imamate) was abolished September 27, 1962, when the country became known as the Yemen Arab Republic (commonly called "North Yemen"), led by Sunni and supported by the Egyptian armed forces who employed including the chemical weapons against the royalists. The proxy war between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is stopped with the recognition of the rebel government in 1970 by Saudi Arabia , then engaged by the Western powers.

Decolonization of South Yemen (1967-1990)

The southern part is former British hinterland, and was formed gradually since 1839 around the port of Aden. After the departure of British troops, the Federation of South Arabia and the Protectorate of South Arabia regrouped November 30, 1967 to form a new independent state, the Republic of South Yemen (commonly called "South Yemen" ). Three years later, it adopted the name Democratic Republic of Yemen. The Marxist regime established causes depletion of the country and a leak of bourgeois elites shopping, but tribal systems remain in place.

In 1977 Yemen adopted the RHD ^{Unification of the country (after 1990)}

On May 22, 1990, the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) merged to form one state, the Republic of Yemen. Ali Abdullah Saleh became president, the Constitution introduced a multiparty system and free press: the birth of the first democracy in the Arab world .

When, in August the same year, the first Gulf War began, the unified Yemen is very dependent on trade with Iraq and, more popular opinion is largely favorable to Saddam Hussein . But the country also receives much help from Saudi Arabia . He made his choice when in August in Cairo, at a summit of leaders of member countries of the Arab League, he voted against sending Arab troops in a multinational coalition to protect Saudi Arabia against Iraq . In November, the Security Council of the United Nations (UN), Yemen voted against the resolution allowing military action against Iraq if it has not left Kuwait by January 15, 1991 without validating its annexation of Kuwait. In December, while chairing the Security Council, UN, Yemen multiplies its attempts at mediation . In January, he proposed unsuccessfully to avoid a war plan which calls for the Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, the coalition of multinational military and an international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian . At the end of the war, the restoration of good relations with Western powers proved easier than the Arab countries and from August 1991, the United States allow the sale of 300,000 tons of subsidized wheat to Yemen . As punishment, Saudi Arabia expelled in a few weeks, from 500 000 and more than 800,000 Yemeni workers from its territory , suspended its development aid to 600 million USD and now imposes a duty on citizens Yemen to have a visa to perform the hajj

From 21 May to 7 July 1994 , South Yemen has unsuccessfully attempted to secede under the name " Democratic Republic of Yemen , "before falling under control of the government in Sanaa.

XXI ^century

In the early ^twenty-first century, the government is facing claims of tribal and Islamist rebel movements, particularly of young believers and bombing of Al-Qaida (including the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, the explosion of the French supertanker Limburg in October 2002). In 2004, clashes near the border with Saudi Arabia were about 400 dead. Since 2004, Yemen is also facing an armed rebellion of the Zaidi Shia minority in Saada province (northwest), which does not recognize the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh , in power since 1990. In early April 2005, government forces attacked the position of Islamist rebels in the mountains of north-east, and three weeks of fighting in Saada province have killed about 200 people.

In August 2009 a new government offensive has reportedly killed at least 100 deaths among the rebels and at least 35,000 IDPs (150,000 since 2004) .

Since November 4 2009 , the Saudi army against the rebels involved

Despite an official anchor in the Western camp and cooperation for the control of its coasts, the country remains a source of instability.

References

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