Marthad'ilan Yu'nim (Arabic: مرثد ألن ينعم) 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.
Marthad'ilan Yu'nim | |||||||||
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King of Saba', Dhu Raydan, Hadramawt, Yamnat and their Arabs, on Tawdum and Tihamat | |||||||||
Reign |
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Predecessor | Sharhabil Yakkuf and Lakhni'ah Yanuf | ||||||||
Successor | Marthad'ilan Yanuf | ||||||||
Died | c. 504 Yemen | ||||||||
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Father | Lakhni'ah Yanuf | ||||||||
Religion | Judaism |
Name
As attested in inscriptions, his name is Marthad'ilan Yu'nim; his full name being Marthad ibn Lakhni'ah Yanuf al-Himyari.[1] In the books of Arab heritage, his name is Marthad al-Khayr ibn Dhi Jadan.[2] 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.[1][3] Christian J. Robin believed his reign ended in the year 485 CE[3] 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.[4] According to the Arabian traditions, Marthad'ilan Yu'nim was succeeded by a king named Qarmal.[2]
Military campaigns
During the Basus War, large-scale riots between Banu Asad and Banu Bakr occurred in Yemen. Marthad'ilan Yu'nim sent a force of five hundred soldiers to restore order and quell the riots.[2]