Frankincense, an aromatic tree resin, was processed and shipped from the city all across the region from Arabia up to the Mediterranean civilisations centred round Rome and Athens. Some 1,400kg was being traded every year at this time.

By the 7th century, the influence of the still-living prophet Mohammad had made its way down to northern Oman as Islam was becoming increasingly popular. The conservative denomination of Islam, Ibadhism, began to take root in the area around the Gulf of Oman and remains the dominant form practised in Muscat today.

Portuguese rule of Muscat and the surrounds lasted 142 years, a period in which the invaders built Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts to be used as prisons, but were then kicked out by Imam Sultan bin Saif in 1650.

This success was soon followed by many more as the new ruler of Muscat used the expertise garnered under the Portuguese to begin a new chapter of naval dominance and empire for the north of Oman, with Muscat the centre.

Although the Persians were swiftly expelled at the very beginning of the 1800s, the Wahabbis of Arabia to the north then attacked, only to be repelled by Sayyid Said bin Sultan. Turmoil was temporarily quelled but Muscat’s fortunes declined as Oman was effectively ruled from Zanzibar from 1853.

In 1913 things changed dramatically again as Sultan Taimur bin Faisal took over rule of Muscat and the rest of Oman was ruled by a series of Imams. Turmoil was never far away during this difficult period but with the backing of the British, the sultan gained control of the whole country at the end of the 1950s. Muscat once again was the centre of Omani power.

Either way Sultan Qaboos has proven to be an able ruler, renaming the country the Sultanate of Oman to reflect regained unity between Muscat and the rest of the country. Oil undoubtedly smoothed things along and has helped turn Muscat into the modern Middle Eastern capital it is today.