Karib'il Watar
Karib'il Watar was probably the most important ruler of the early days of the Sabaean Kingdom. His name is composed of "KRB-El" One who carries out the instructions of El and "WṮR" one who destroys buildings.[1]
History
Karib'il Watar, the son of Dhimar El Yanuf III who reigned in the early 7th Century, changed his title from Mukrab to King. He is mentioned in one of the longest and most important Sabaean inscriptions which is located on the Great Temple of Almaqah in Sirwah 40 kilometers west of Marib.
Inscriptions
The inscription in Sirwah which is composed of twenty lines describes the military campaigns led by Karib'il Watar. From the first line of the inscription, it seems the author was dazzled by his numerous extensive victories.[2]
Lines (1-2): Karib'il, Mukrab Saba' shows gratitude to gods especially Almaqah who has delivered rain and inspired him to lead and unify his people.
Campaigns
The campaigns are divided by the victory inscription into the following sections:
Al-Ma'afer
Lines (3-4) indicates that he attacked and burned many cities in which he killed and enslaved thousands of his enemies and forced them to pay tribute in terms of cows and goats. Researches indicated that his conquering of south-western Al-Ma'afer's sea ports and lands in order to weaken the Kingdom of Awsan.
Kingdom of Awsan
In Lines (4-7), he hit "Waser" hard and took over all their areas, then continued to reach the lands of Awsan during the reign of king (Martu') which was controlling the southern regions up to shores of the Red Sea. Karib'il ordered his soldiers to shed their swords on Awsan's people, kill and capture thousands of them, and burn all their cities all the way to the sea.
Dahsm
Lines (7-8), In the 7th line of the inscription: He attacked Dahsm and Tabni (currently Lahij), killing and enslaving thousands.
Kahd dhu Sotm
Lines (13-14), This is a disciplinary reprisal campaign: On the Day in which he attacked "Kahd dhu Sotm" because they betrayed him, their dead were five hundred, their captives were thousands, and thousands of their livestock and belongings have been taken.
Al-jawf
Lines (14-20), From his perspective, "Nasha'an" pose the next dangerous opponent after the Kingdom of Awsan. Therefore, he attacked "Nasha'an" and "Nashaq" and burned their cities, then he looted Astr and Bayhan. Afterwards, "Nasha'an" started a rebellion provoking the Sabaeans to attack and besiege "Nashaq" city for three years. The result of the siege was a humiliating defeat for "Nasha'an" and the annexation of all their arable lands and dams. Karab-El has unleashed multiple assaults to subjugate "Subl", "Haram" and "Fenen". The same fate of the previous occupied cities has hit these three cities as more lands have been annexed and a tribute have been imposed to the God Almaqah. The last ever campaign was against Mha'amr (Mhammerm) to the north of Al Jawf in Najran. The outcome of the aggression was a landslide in which Karab-El killed five thousand, enslaved twelve thousand children, seized more than two hundred thousand cattle (camels, cows, donkeys and sheep), burned all the cities of Mha'amr, and annexed all the agricultural lands in northern Al Jawf and Najran.
References
- ↑ Beeston, A.F.L.; Ghul, M.A.; Müller, W.W.; Ryckmans, J. (1982). Sabaic Dictionary. University of Sanaa, YAR. ISBN 2-8017-0194-7.
- ↑ "كرب إيل وتر وجهوده في توحيد اليمن.. دراسة من خلال نقش النصر".