Queen of Sheba - Empress Or Enigma

She is one of the most intriguing and exotic figures in history. Three thousand years ago the Queen of Sheba travelled with a caravan of hundreds of camels, laden with unimaginable riches, through the Arabian deserts to meet King Solomon in Jerusalem. Their coming together is one of the world's oldest love stories, as told by poets in Ethiopian and Arabian folklore, which also covers the legend of the Ark of the Covenant.Freed from historical constraints, the imaginations of classical artists have run wild with fabulous palaces and surreal landscapes. We will also look at the real evidence of the Kingdom of Sheba, the ruins of its capital Marib and see what the queen might really have looked like - and it isn't Gina Lollobrigida!About Chris Bradley:A film producer and cameraman, he has made documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic TV and Channel 4. His photographs are represented by several photographic libraries. As an expert in the history and culture of the Middle East and North Africa, he also leads many tour groups throughout the region. He has written extensively on Arabia and is the author of The Discovery Guide to Yemen, Insight Guide to the Silk Road and Berlitz Guides to Cairo; Egypt's Red Sea; Nile Cruising; Oman; Abu Dhabi and Libya. Where: Ringwood Meeting House and History Centre, 2 Meeting House Ln, Ringwood BH24 1EYTime: 2pm (Doors open 1.30pm) (50-60 min)Date: Saturday 10th October, 2026Refreshments available (Including tea/coffee etc.)
Wheelchair accessible
Limited number of tickets available on the doorAny questions?:Email: mhringwoodevents@gmail.com Phone: 07934318151Parking:Furlong Car Park opposite venue (BH24 1AT, New Forest District Council)
Bus Stop opposite venue (Meeting House Lane)Short synopsis:
She is one of the most intriguing and exotic figures in history. Wealthy from trading incense and lover of King Solomon, her story encapsulates the history of ancient Yemen, Ethiopia and the Ark of the Covenant itself.Optional recommended reading:
Queen of Sheba: Treasures from Ancient Yemen (British Museum 2002)
'Sheba' by Nicholas Clapp (Mariner 2001)
'The Queen of Sheba' by Harry St John Philby (Quartet 1981)
'Qataban and Sheba' by Wendell Phillips (Gollancz 1955)
(Published in paperback as 'Sheba's Buried City' (Pan 1958))
National Geographic: October 1985 - 'Arabia's Frankincense Trail'