104 ANCIENT KINGS OF ARABIA. 



with Abimalec, who is reckoned contemporary with 

 Alexander the Great, this circumstance may with 

 great probabihty account for the chronological blank 

 that occurs between the time of that prince and 

 the Christian era.* 



The reign of Akran forms a memorable epoch ni 

 Arabian history, on account of the political changers 

 alleged to have been occasioned by the flood of El 

 Arem. The Mohammedan writers dwell at great 

 length on this catastrophe, mixing its details with a 

 variety of fabulous circumstances. The territory of 

 Saba, though naturally fertile, had, according to 

 Nuvairi and Masoudi, who have written elaborate 

 treatises on this famous deluge, been rendered almost 

 uninhabitable from the impetuosity of the mountain 

 torrents, which destroyed their houses, harvests, 

 and vineyards, and the whole produce of their 

 industry. With a view to oppose some barrier to 

 these ruinous floods, one of their kings, Saba, or 

 Loknian, constructed a huge mole or bank, stretch- 

 ing across the valley, which was about a quarter of 

 a mile in breadth, at the lower extremity of the 

 adjacent mountains. It was built of solid masonry, 

 the blocks of marble being cemented with bitumen 

 and strengthened with iron bars. It rose to a great 

 height above the city (Mareb), and was by the 

 Sabaeans deemed so strong, that many of them had 

 their houses erected on its sides. The valley, to the 

 distance of about five leagues, was thus converted 

 into a vast lake 120 feet in depth, and receiving, 

 according to Abulfeda, the tributary waters of sev- 

 enty streams, some of which were conducted into 



! * The annals of Persia present a similar chasm. "From the 

 death of Alexander till the death of Arta.-cer.xes is nearly hve cen- 

 turies ; and the whole of that remarkable era may he termed a 

 blank in Eastern history. Yet, when we refer to Roman wri- 

 ters, we find this period abounds with events of which the 

 vainest nation might be proud."— A/a/co/m's Hist, of Persia, vou 

 i. chap. iv. p. 68. 



