A History of the World in 100 Objects
Arabian bronze hand
Jun 4, 2010
Explore the significance of a bronze hand as a gift to a god in pre-Islamic Arabia. Learn about the society, religion, and trade routes of ancient Yemen. Discover the influences of the old pagan Arabian religion in Islam and the incorporation of elements from various faiths.
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Quick takeaways
- The Arabian bronze hand reveals the religious practices and cultural significance of offerings to local gods in ancient Arabia.
- Yemen's trade dominance and the production of sought-after commodities like frankincense and myrrh made local gods thrive until the rise of new religions in the region.
Deep dives
The Significance of the Arabian Bronze Hand
The podcast explores the significance of an Arabian bronze hand dating back to the second or third century, which was dedicated to the god Talab Riyam. The hand, made of bronze with carefully crafted details such as veins and nails, belonged to a man named Wahhab Talab. It was offered as a gift at the temple of Talab Riyam in Zafar, Yemen. The hand represents the rich trade and prosperous society of Yemen at that time, known for supplying frankincense and myrrh to the Roman Empire. This bronze hand offers insights into the religious practices and cultural significance of offerings to local gods in ancient Arabia.
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