New Books in Middle Eastern Studies Nicholas P. Roberts, "A Sea of Wealth: The Omani Empire and the Making of an Oceanic Marketplace" (U California Press, 2025)
Aug 16, 2025
Nicholas P. Roberts, a former history professor and Arabian Peninsula expert, discusses his book shedding light on the Omani Empire's crucial role in the Indian Ocean trade. He explores the empire's vibrant maritime activities in 19th-century Muscat and challenges conventional views by emphasizing the diverse interactions between Arabs, Africans, and Asians. The conversation also addresses the complexities of diplomacy in Zanzibar and the integral role of slavery in Oman's economy, advocating for a deeper understanding of its historical significance.
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Oman As An Oceanic Empire
- Oman in the 19th century functioned as an oceanic empire stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to Zanzibar and East Africa.
- The Omani Empire integrated Arabia, the Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa into a single Western Indian Ocean marketplace.
A Busy, Multilingual Muscat Harbor
- If you stood on Muscat's docks in the 1800s you'd hear Arabic, Gujarati, English, French, and Swahili and see diverse ships and bustling commerce.
- The harbor hosted customs houses, shipbuilders, weavers, and visible systems of enslavement and trafficking.
Saeed Negotiated On His Terms
- The Gillan episode exemplifies how Said bin Sultan negotiated with Europeans as an equal imperial ruler rather than a passive local.
- This interaction highlights the Omani Empire's capacity to compel Europeans and Americans to adapt to its diplomatic and commercial norms.
