Tag Archives: Arabia

Arabian Pagan Religion

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Ruth

Until about the 4th century AD, Arabians were polytheists with beliefs and practices similar to the rest of the world. Their customs were mostly common to other polytheists, but they had a few interesting distinctives. One of the common polytheistic … Continue reading →

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Arabia Felix in the Iron Age

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Ruth

The southern coast of Arabia is not much like the rocky zone in the north or the vast wilderness in the center. And in ancient times, it was even more different. It was probably settled by people moving across the … Continue reading →

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Arabia Petraea in the Iron Age

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Ruth

With the Iron Age, we move into the heart of Hebrew Bible history, familiar to many Americans from Sunday School. Iron was more easily available than tin or copper, so the switch to iron technology contributed to growing power of … Continue reading →

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Dilmun: East Arabia in the Bronze Age

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Ruth

When we dial back in time to the Bronze Age, we’re in the time of the first Pharaohs who built pyramids, the heroic Mycenean Greeks, the Hittite Empire with its chariots, and the flourishing civilizations of Sumer. If the people … Continue reading →

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Arabia: who are the Arabs?

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Ruth

It seems like we know the answer to this question, but do we? The Arabs live in Arabia, but they also live in Iraq and Syria. Not in Iran, in spite of the similarity of religion. Are Egyptians Arabs? I … Continue reading →

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Medieval Islam: origins (sticky)

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Ruth

Islam and the Christian West: in a chronic face-off since 600 AD, and yet we in the West know so little about Islam and its adherents. When I worked on this topic in the past, it became clear to me … Continue reading →

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