Queen Bilqis: The Complete Story of the Queen of Sheba — History, Legend & Influence
Introduction: Queen Bilqis, known as the Queen of Sheba, is one of the most captivating figures of the ancient world. Her narrative appears in the three Heavenly Religions in the order Islam → Christianity → Judaism, and expands into Ethiopian national tradition and Persian literature. This comprehensive study combines religious narratives, archaeological evidence from Saba (Marib), and analysis of the legend's cultural spread.
Who is Queen Bilqis?
Bilqis in Islam
The Qur'anic account (Surah An-Naml, verses 22–44) provides the most detailed narrative of the Queen of Sheba: a sovereign ruler who consults her council, who responds diplomatically to Prophet Solomon, and who ultimately accepts monotheism after witnessing miraculous signs. The Qur'an does not give her a name; the name Bilqis appears in later Islamic tradition.
The Queen of Sheba in Christianity
The Old Testament (1 Kings and 2 Chronicles) presents the Queen of Sheba as a wealthy monarch who visits Solomon to test his wisdom with riddles, bringing luxurious gifts of gold and spices. The focus is on Solomon’s wisdom and the wealth of Sheba; no personal name is recorded.
The Queen of Sheba in Judaism
The Jewish account aligns with the Christian narratives in focusing on the meeting, the gifts, and the test of wisdom. As with other scriptural sources, the queen is not named.
Bilqis in Ethiopian Tradition — Makeda
The Ethiopian epic Kebra Nagast names the queen Makeda, tells of her union with Solomon, and describes the birth of Menelik I, founder of the Solomonic dynasty. The narrative serves a national and dynastic function in Ethiopian history.
The Civilization of Saba (Sheba)
Location and Prosperity
The Kingdom of Saba, centered at Marib in present-day Yemen, was famed for frankincense and myrrh trade, advanced irrigation via the Marib Dam, and commercial networks across the Red Sea and the Near East.
Archaeological Evidence
The so-called "Throne of Bilqis" sites (Awam / Barran temples) near Marib are major religious centers of ancient Saba, but they do not constitute direct proof of the historical existence of a named queen Bilqis. Sabaean inscriptions document dynasties, religious institutions, and occasionally powerful women, but none mentions the name "Bilqis" explicitly.
Was Bilqis a Real Historical Figure?
Scholars generally view three possibilities:
- A real historical queen who ruled in Saba;
- A fully legendary figure evolving across scriptures and literary traditions;
- Or most plausibly, a legendary figure rooted in a historical reality (a Sabaean ruler whose personal name was lost to time).
Spread of the Legend Across Civilizations
1 — Persia (Iran)
Persian Islamic literature embraced the narrative, elevating the queen as an emblem of beauty and wisdom; however, the story is not originally Persian and was transmitted via religious and literary channels.
2 — India and the Indo-Persian Sphere
There is no ancient Hindu myth of the Queen of Sheba. The story appears in South Asia through Islamic tradition, Indo-Persian manuscripts, and occasional modern literary uses; thus her presence is cultural and religious rather than indigenous mythological.
3 — China and Japan
No native Chinese or Japanese myth about the Queen of Sheba has been documented; mentions are confined to translations of religious texts, academic studies, or modern literature.
Why Did Bilqis Become a Universal Symbol?
- A rare female sovereign in ancient narratives;
- Governor of a wealthy and influential kingdom (Saba);
- Central figure across Islam → Christianity → Judaism;
- Adaptable legend reworked by Arab, Persian, and Ethiopian traditions;
- Model of diplomacy, wisdom, and royal authority.
Conclusion
Queen Bilqis stands between history and legend. Although direct archaeological evidence naming her remains absent, the cultural and literary impact of her story is undeniable—spanning the Arabian South to Ethiopia and Persia, and imprinting the image of a wise, powerful, and elegant ruler in the collective memory.
Image: artistic historical representation (used by permission). English edition linked to Arabic original at ArabKon.