Editing Sheba (section)

==== Era of the kings ====
After the 6th century BCE, Saba was unable to maintain its supremacy over South Arabia in the face of the expanding adjacent powers of [[Qataban]] and [[Kingdom of Hadhramaut|Hadhramaut]] militarily, and [[Ma'in]] economically, leading it contract back to its core territory around [[Marib]] and [[Sirwah]]. Sabaean leaders reverted to use of the title ''malik'' ("king") instead of ''mukarrib''.{{Sfn|Schiettecatte|2024}} This decline began soon after the end of the reign of Karib'il Watar. While Karib'il established hegemony over the Jawf, his immediate successors only consolidated their power over some of its former city-states (including [[Nashaq|Nashq]] and Manhayat) whereas others (like [[Yathill]] and the towns of Wadhi Raghwan) were absorbed into Ma'in. Qataban expanded into the Southern Highlands, formerly under Sabaean rule.{{Sfn|Arbach|Rossi|2022|pp=143–144}}

Economically, the first Sabaean period was dominated by a caravan economy that had market ties with the rest of the Near East. Its first major trading partners were at [[Khindanu]] and the [[Middle Euphrates]]. Later, this moved to Gaza during the Persian period, and finally, to [[Petra]] in Hellenistic times. The South Arabian deserts gave rise to important aromatics which were exported in trade, especially [[frankincense]] and [[myrrh]]. It also acted as an intermediary for overland trade with neighbours in [[Africa]] and further off from [[India]].{{Sfn|Robin|2002|pp=51–52}}
[[File:South arabia 100bc (cropped).jpg|thumb|Map of southern Arabia in 100 BCE]]
By the end of the 1st millennium BCE, several factors came together and brought about the decline of the Sabaean state and civilization.{{sfn|Korotayev|1995|p=98}} The biggest challenge came from the expansion of the [[Roman Republic]]. The Republic conquered Syria in 63 BCE and Egypt in 30 BCE, diverting Saba's overland trade network. The Romans then attempted to conquer Saba around 26/25 BCE with an army sent out under the command of the governor [[Aelius Gallus]], setting Marib to siege. Due to heat exhaustion, the siege had to be quickly given up. However, after conquering Egypt, the overland trade network was redirected to maritime routes, with an intermediary port chosen with [[Bir Ali]] (then called Qani). This port was part of the [[Kingdom of Hadhramaut]], far from Sabaean territory.{{Sfn|Robin|2002|p=53}} Greatly economically weakened, the Kingdom of Saba was soon annexed by the [[Himyar|Himyarite Kingdom]], bringing this period to a close.{{sfn|Korotayev|1996}}