Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), faced criticism for suggesting that ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding from Malay seafarers. Despite the backlash, Solehah reaffirmed her position, stating her claim is based on extensive research conducted since her PhD completion in 2005. She argues that her hypothesis, grounded in classical Arabic sources, posits that the art of shipbuilding was influenced by the maritime civilization of the Malay Archipelago.
Solehah emphasized that while European nations were primarily continental, the Malays excelled as a maritime civilization. Her claims are supported by various scholarly references, including works by PY Manguin on Southeast Asian ship history and RL Smith regarding premodern trade dynamics. She pointed out that before 31 BCE—when the Roman Empire expanded its maritime capabilities following Egypt’s conquest—Romans did not engage in significant naval activities, as even their trade routes, like that between Rome and Egypt, were relatively limited in scope.
She argued that during this period, the Romans, Vikings, and Slavs were primarily focused on acquiring high-quality iron for weaponry rather than maritime pursuits. Solehah highlights Arabic references to “Al-qalʿa al-Rumi,” referring to the Roman sword and its notable iron, with classical scholars like Al-Biruni suggesting that iron-smelting likely developed in what is today Kedah, Malaysia.
Solehah also noted the inadequacy of European timber for long-distance sea voyages, prompting the Romans to seek navigational expertise from Egypt and possibly the Malay world. Evidence from museum archives in Australia has suggested that the foremost deep-sea shipbuilders hailed from Austronesia, aligning with historical accounts that credit a Malay for being the first to circumnavigate the globe.
She further elaborates on the evolution of identity, asserting that the term “Malay” predates “Austronesian,” which was classified by European scholars in the 19th century. During periods like the Srīvijaya Empire, which was a formidable maritime kingdom, those people were indeed recognized as Malays, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of seafaring and navigation that predates modern classifications.
In closing, Solehah expressed a hope that the backlash against her claims—including slander and ridicule in various media—would cease, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the historical contributions of Malay seafarers to maritime history.
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