SHEBA'S WEALTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 December 1931, Page 7

SHEBA'S WEALTH

' DOES NOT SOLVE MYTH. The gems and treasure recently found in a hidden cavern in a remote region of Abyssinia, by Frank Payter, a big game hunter, have aroused fresh speculation about the supposedly rich mines fn that area. The theory is now adva,nced that these gems were taken from the same cavern that was the source of the jewels of the Queen of Sheba, says the New York Times. This queen is perhaps best remembered by the Biblical story of her visit to King Solomon in which she is reputed to have "come from the uttermost parts of the earth" to hear his wisdom. As the Hebrew kingdom grew in riches and power, an increasing commerce was estahlished with the kingdom of the Sabaeans — whose capital was Sheba — in South Arabia Felix, by 'means of far-lying trade routes. The Bible, as well as classical writers and Assyrian inscriptions, attest the wealth and trading importance of Sheba or Saba as it is more generally known, from the days of King Solomon to those of Cyrus, King of Persia. The trade routes from, India to Egypt and Northern Syria passed the Sabaean capital, giving a tremendous advantage to the people of that country, in the marketing of their goods. Many legends about the mysterious Queen have sprung up. Her prominence was partly due to the fact that she was head of an important empire when queens were scarce. The modern Ethiopians hold the tradition that their Emperor Haile Selassie is a lineal descendant of David, son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.