Marthad'ilan Yu'nim


Marthad'ilan Yu'nim also known as Marthad al-Khayr, was a Himyarite king who primarily reigned in the late 5th century CE. He is known for his involvement in the Basus War.

Name

As attested in inscriptions, his name is Marthad'ilan Yu'nim; his full name being Marthad ibn Lakhni'ah Yanuf al-Himyari. In the books of Arab heritage, his name is Marthad al-Khayr ibn Dhi Jadan. The word Yun'im is Himyaritic for "blessed" which is al-Khayr in Arabic.

Reign

Marthad'ilan Yu'nim started his reign in the year 480. According to the inscription YM 1200, he constructed a synagogue and repaired an unknown monotheistic place of worship known as a Kenesit. Christian J. Robin believed his reign ended in the year 485 CE however there is an inscription dated to 502 CE which does mention his name along with his siblings; the inscription also does not mention him with royal titles. According to the Arabian traditions, Marthad'ilan Yu'nim was succeeded by a king named Qarmal.

Military campaigns

Marthad'ilan Yu'nim sent a force of five hundred soldiers to assist Imru' al-Qays in his mission to reunite the Taghlib and Banu Bakr tribes in the Basus War in order to defeat the Banu Asad.