The Bedouin in old Yemen, from Protection of Commercial Caravans to the Royal Title

Abstract

This research presents a historical background about the inclusion of the Bedouin in the civil society that has taken place in different stages. The first stage was by the end of the first century B.C., when they started to infiltrate to the edges of Yemeni Kingdoms. This was followed by penetration stage wherewith they penetrated in depths of Shabian lands during the first and second centuries A.D. The third stage was made through the persuasion of the Bedouin to join the royal armies. The fourth stage was when political entities were formed by the Bedouins living in middle areas of the peninsula. These entities included Kinda kingdom. This stage was followed by the uniting of Bedouins in the north and in the south in the beginning of fourth century A.D. The last stage was the merging of the Bedouins in the civil society after adding them to the royal title, in the fourth quarter of the fifth century A.D.