Editing Sheba (section)

==== Era of the ''mukarribs'' ====
The first major phase of the Sabaean civilization lasted between the 8th and 1st centuries BCE. For centuries, Saba dominated the political landscape in South Arabia.{{Sfn|Arbach|Rossi|2022|p=22}} The 8th century is when the first stone inscriptions appear, and when leaders are already being called by the title [[Mukarrib]] ("federator"). Due to this convention, this era can also be called the "Mukarrib period". The title ''mukarrib'' was more prestigious than that of ''mlk'' ("king") and was used to refer to someone that extended hegemony over other tribes and kingdoms.{{Sfn|Robin|2002|p=51}} 

Saba reached the height of its powers between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE. In particular, the great conquests of [[Karib'il Watar]] extended their territory to [[Najran]] in the north, the [[Gulf of Aden]] in the southwest, and eastward from that point along the coast until the western foothills of the Hadhramaut plateau. Saba reigned supreme over South Arabia, and Karib'il established diplomatic contacts with the [[Assyria]]<nowiki/>n emperor [[Sennacherib]]. This territorial range by a South Arabian kingdom would not be seen again until [[Himyar]] achieved it over 1,100 years later.{{Sfn|Nebes|2023|pp=346–347}} Karib'il's success is reflected by the dynastic succession of four rulers from his lineage, including sons, grandson, and great-grandons, a rare occurrence in the face of the rarity of dynastic succession in ancient South Arabian culture. The next time this would be seen was six centuries later in Qataban.{{Sfn|Arbach|Rossi|2022|p=148}}