On Reading Arabia Felix

I just finished reading the book Arabia Felix by Thorkild Hansen. It is one of the better books I have

read. It is an account of the Danish Expedition of 1761-1767. The purpose of this royally sponsored expedition was to explore and obtain information on the relatively unknown country and region of Yemen. The group consisted of five principal members and two servants. Unfortunately, some of the leading members of the team clashed seriously because of pride, arrogance, motivation and personality differences. This led to serious drama on a number of occasions.

The group consisted of various specialties: a linguist, a botanist, a cartographer, a medical doctor, and an artist. Their assignment was to explore and evaluate the area in question according to their respective specialties, write up their findings, keep a detailed journal, and report back to the Danish court. Being thrust together, and somewhat isolated culturally, they gradually learned to tolerate and rely on each other.

One of their questions related to the name Arabia Felix which roughly means “happy Arabia.” They wondered why this name? It turned out that it was a poor translation. The Arab orients himself to the east (in contrast to the westerner who is oriented to the north) and to the right of east was south. Yemen meant right, or south Arabia, not “happy” Arabia. In fact not much that the team encountered in Arabia was happy.

Some of the team relished the adventure while others only complained and endured. Several of the team members were just good followers, while others showed developing leadership skills. In addition to the scientific information the book reports, it is an excellent character study of the participants in differing circumstances, and under varying conditions. It caused me to reflect on my own interactions with those I might disagree with, but must work with. 

In the end it was definitely not Arabia Felix. Six of the team members die of malaria leaving only the cartographer, Carsten Niebuhr, alive. He travels alone from Bombay, India, back to Denmark, mostly overland. He finds that traveling alone, or in a small group, is much safer and successful that accompanying a large group. He learns to blend in with the natives, eating their food, and wearing their clothes. This was the identical approach that the explorer Leonard Clark latter used in his exploration of the upper Amazon.

Niebuhr accomplishes some amazing things during, and following, the expedition. He mapped and

Map of Yemen by Niebuhr
Courtesy of Wikipedia

charted much of the Red Sea and the Yemen region. He mapped and recorded wherever he went, including India, Iraq, Turkey and eastern Europe. He studied and recorded the ruins of Persepolis, and copied all the cuniform writings he found there. These cuniform copies later resulted in the decipherment of the ancient Assyrian and Sumerian languages.

Niebuhr's persistence, skill, and tenacity result in his triumph, and he becomes the hero of this history. Of course this became likely because he was the lone survivor. But one can see his personal development from the poor, uneducated, farm boy to the savant that he eventually becomes.

Many times a translated work loses much of the original artistry and beauty of the original. But in this work the translators have skillfully been able to retain the beauty, clear language and meaning of the author. It is as if one is reading the original text.

Unfortunately, much of the expeditions work was ignored for years. The old king had died, as well as the original promoters, and it was years before true recognition was given. Niebuhr had to publish his own reports and books, and died in relative obscurity in a small village in Denmark. But I believe that he was satisfied with his life's accomplishments and the adventures that he lived.

I would recommend this book and think you will find it enjoyable especially if you have an adventurous spirit.