Queen Of Sheba and The Daughter Of Pixodarus
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2003 12:49 am
Dear Nick,Thanks for mentioning Ophir which brings to my mind pictures of quinquiremes and gold. Sadly we now have to make do with only Oil and aircraft-carriers. A. L. Basham of SOAS London located Ophir in the Gujerat coast which has pleased many Indians but in my opinion Ophir was also in Seistan. The name Ophir coresponds to the Abhiras of the Indian texts who were the sons of the Kalakeyas. This may be linked to the ancient place-name Karkuia in Seistan (see the map in the Encyclopedia of Islam) which has echoes in Palestine also.You also mentioned Solomon in your post whose name is linked with the fabled Queen of Sheba. Where was she from? The name Shibaa is the feminine form of Shiv(god) in the Indian texts and Seistan was probably Shivastan (sthana=abode), as the Sibis are from this area. Queen of Sheba may be a next of kin of Queen Usinarani of the RgVeda. The name Usinara agrees with the references to Shinar in the Bible which is confused with Sumer by all. On the other hand, nineteenth century commentators on the Bible did not mix up Sumer with Shinar. From the Assaka Jataka it appears that Ada, daughter of Pixodarus, who became the wife of Orontobates was from this area. Fascinating isnt it? There is much more in the name Prophthasia than meets the eye. I have great respect for Tarn because I have learnt much from him but he was certainly wrong about the meaning of Prophthasia.Regards,Dr. Pal.