Irfan Shahid, "Byzantium in South Arabia," Dumbarton Oaks Papers 33 (1979), 25-94.
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Irfan Shahid, "Byzantium in South Arabia," Dumbarton Oaks Papers 33 (1979), 25-94.
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One aspect of the importance of Shahid's work is based upon the fact that his scholarly research begins 300 years prior to Muhammad, thus providing important links to the rise of Islam and Byzantine influence. He focuses his article on the "Christian Churches of South Arabia and the early sixth century" (28) as well as the transition of religious affiliation. Previous sources were unsatisfactory and within this century new discovery of primary sources has prompted new research. Shahid believes some of these new sources to be "incontestably reliable primary sources". (28) These new discoveries have prompted re-examination of other earlier sources.
The architecture of this early period is examined as well as the people (Bishops) who constructed them.