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
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.
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| Map of Yemen by Niebuhr Courtesy of Wikipedia |
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.