Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East. Its relatively fertile land and adequate rainfall in a moister climate helped sustain a stable population; a feature recognized by the ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy; who described Yemen as Eudaimon Arabia (better known in its Latin translation; Arabia Felix) meaning 'Fortunate Arabia' or Happy Arabia.

Between the 12th century BCE and the 6th century CE; it was dominated by six successive civilizations which rivaled each other; or were allied with each other and controlled the lucrative spice trade: Ma'in; Qataban; Hadhramaut; Awsan; Saba and Himyarite. Islam arrived in 630 CE; and Yemen became part of the Muslim World.