The Missing Link: Examining the Supraregional Role of Mleiha in the Realm of the Seleucids Following the Anabasis of Antiochus III.

Plummer, Jason Charles (2025) The Missing Link: Examining the Supraregional Role of Mleiha in the Realm of the Seleucids Following the Anabasis of Antiochus III. Masters thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

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Abstract

Ptolemy’s map provides a range of coastal settlements on the Gulf of Oman that have not yet been located with the port of Cryptus being of interest to this dissertation and likely to be located either at Kalba or Dibba al Hisn. Hellenistic material provides evidence for Dibba but as I argue Kalba also would have made a suitable port, although this remains speculative. Further investigations could be directed via the Tell Abraq and Ed Dur sites by considering the likely geography required vis-à-vis adjacent to a sabka and near to mangroves. There is no extant ancient literature on the Gulf of Oman coast and Mleiha site during the 2nd century BCE. The expedition of Antiochus and the campaign of Numenius provide the most extensive accounts of Greek interaction with NE Arabia. Antiochus’ interactions with Gerrha provides the point at which Gerrhaen dominance of the region ceases and a site at Mleiha gains prominence. The role of Mleiha is explored in this dissertation as well as considering which of two scenarios unfolds next: 1) Gerrha ceases to hold the Arabian monopoly and an offshoot independent kingdom emerges centred on Mleiha. 2) Seleucid influence is invigorated in the Persian Gulf and Mleiha is sponsored to provide an anchor of power in controlling the flow of trade on the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf coasts. The seminal evidence now is the Mleiha coin hoard, a succinct understanding of the coinage discovered will undoubtedly lead to a greater depth of understanding on the populace of the 2nd century BCE. It is a pivotal element as coinage is one of the most direct forms of evidence for understanding the economic and political landscape of ancient societies. Beyond this new depth of knowledge will be a further acceptance of the fundamental and integral role of Mleiha as the key component in the supraregional interactions between the Gulf of Oman and wider Indian ocean sphere of exchange operating in conjunction with the Persian Gulf.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DS Asia
Divisions:	Theses and Dissertations > Masters Dissertations
Depositing User:	Victoria Hankinson
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2025 13:16
Last Modified:	10 Jul 2025 13:16
URI:	https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/3812

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