The period from Alexander the Great to the coming of Islam, including full discussion of the history of Christianity in the area, comprises this second volume, in which Potts combines the literary evidence from Greek, Roman, Syrian and Arab sources with an overview of archaeology.

Alexander, the Seleucids, and the Arabian Gulf; North-Eastern Arabia during the Hellenistic Period; Bahrian from the Hellenistic Era to the Sasanian Period; the Hellenistic Period on Failaka; North-Eastern Arabia during the Parthian and Sasanian Periods; South-Eastern Arabia from the Hellenistic Era to the Sasanian period.

`The two volumes comprising "The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity" will be welcomed by scholars and the interested general reader alike. This volume, written in a brisk, refreshing style devoid of the jargon often obscuring archaeological literature, contains a wealth of information. ... this synthesis should be regarded as essential reading by all who are interested in Gulf history.' Beatrice de Cardi, Antiquaries Journal 'an impressive, extensive and thorough two-volume study ... There is no doubt in my mind that Professor Potts has presented us with an exhaustive, diligent and scholarly study. He has had to cope with an abundance of variegated material and facts, and has done so most successfully and in an admirable manner. From the text and notes, it is obvious that he has left no publication unconsulted even those only marginally touching on the subject of his study. His success in creating a scholarly, learned synthesis deserves our esteem and honour, and must gain the reader's respect ... the author has succeeded in presenting the reader with a clear depiction of the physical culture, the social structure and the character of the region's society ... we have here a serious work of research from the pen of a very learned scholar of the highest level of intellectual integrity.' Yehuda Nini, Tel Aviv University, Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 1991-2 volume 11 'excellent study ... remarkable book ... I do believe, however, that both the data presented in it and the challenge which they present to those interested in this fascinating region will not lose their value for generations of scholars.' Petr Charvát, Archív Orientální 61, 1993 'This distinguished work is a most welcome addition to Arabian studies. His work is comprehensive and thorough with an excellent bibliography. His focus on eastern Arabia is fully justified since fieldwork there has produced the most sustained and comprehensive archaeological record on the Peninsula so far ... this extremely important work is a core research and teaching book for Arabia and its archaeology and will remain so for a long time to come.' G.R.D. King, The Antiquaries Journal 72