Sohar

The principal town of the Batina coast of Oman in the Sassanian and early Islamic periods, owing its wealth to maritime trade. In the 3rd century it became the center of the Sassanian enclave known as Mazun but did not become prominent until the 10th century, when Omani merchants went to China, the East Indies, and Africa. The Buyid rulers of Iran and Iraq attacked and destroyed Sohar in 972-973.

The principal town of the Batina coast of Oman in the Sassanian and early Islamic periods. The site had perennial water and enjoyed a plentiful supply of agricultural products, especially dates. The Wadi Jizzi provided a corridor for communications with Buraimi oasis in the interior. Although it lacked a sheltered harbour, the city owed its wealth to maritime trade. It stood on the edge of the monsoon belt and so formed a natural springboard for ships from Basra and Siraf bound for the east. (Before the rise of Sohar, Raysut in Dhofar performed this function; after the decline, the role was assumed by Tiz, on the coast of Makran.) The early history of Sohar is obscure, but in the 3rd century it became the centre of the Sassanian enclave known as Mazun. Sohar only became prominent in the 10th century, when Omani merchants were noted in China, the East Indies and Africa. The Omanis emerged as a major political force in 943, when their navy raided Basra, a performance they repeated in 952-3. As a result, the Buyid rulers of Iran and Iraq responded in kind, established a garrison in Oman and in 972-3 attacked and destroyed