Two Inscriptions Commemorating the Construction of a Mountain Pass, by Yada''ab Dhubyân son of Shahr Mukarrib of Qatabân, and by the Qayls of the Madhî Tribe
Résumé
Publication of 2 South-Arabian inscriptions : the first text is a royal inscription; the second is an inscription of qayls ("princes") of the Madhī tribe who supervised the construction of the mountain road. These texts are interesting in many respects. First, in terms of the geographical situation, they are the most southwestern of all the Qatabānian inscriptions known thus far. Moreover, the second text sheds new light on the political and social organization of the South Arabian highlands since its authors use the title of qayl ("prince") at that early period. It proves the existence of the qiyāla system in the southern part of the highlands as early as the reign of one of the first mukarribs of Qatabān.