The Last Queen of Sheba: Bilqis and the Sabaean Legacy

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the legendary Queen of Sheba—known in Yemeni tradition as Bilqis—and her enduring impact on both ancient history and modern Yemeni identity. The conversation traces the queen from the Hebrew Bible and Ethiopian Kebra Nagast to the Sabaean inscriptions that may refer to a female ruler around the 10th century BCE. They discuss the ongoing debate over whether she was a real historical figure or a composite legend, the role of the Marib Dam in consolidating power, and how the queen's story was later used by the Himyarite kings to legitimize their rule. Lucas also explains the 8th-century BCE Sabaean mukarrib Karib'il Watar's expansion, the incense trade that made Saba wealthy, and the archaeological evidence from the Awwam Temple and Barran Temple that may hint at a queen's presence. The episode concludes with a reflection on how Bilqis remains a potent symbol in Yemen today, from folk tales to political rhetoric.

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