Marthad'ilan Yanuf
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| Marthad'ilan Yanuf | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Saba', Dhu Raydan, Hadramawt, Yamnat and their Arabs, on Tawdum and Tihamat | |||||||||
| Reign | 504–515 CE | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Marthad'ilan Yu'nim | ||||||||
| Successor | Ma'dikarib Ya'fur | ||||||||
| Born | Marthad ibn 'Abd-Kulal al-Himyari | ||||||||
| Died | c. 515 Yemen | ||||||||
| Issue | Wali'ah, Rabi'ah | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Father | 'Abd-Kulal | ||||||||
| Religion | Christianity | ||||||||
Marthad'ilan Yanuf (Arabic: مرثد ألن ينوف), also romanized as Murthid 'Alan Yanuf, was a Himyarite king who reigned in the early 6th century CE. A devout Christian, Marthad'ilan Yanuf engaged in diplomatic relations with the Aksumite Empire as well as renovated churches in his territory. He is the first Christian ruler to have official rule over Himyar.
The name Marthad'ilan Yanuf appears in a few inscriptions dating to the early 6th century CE.[1][2][3] In the books of Arab histories, his full name is given as Marthad ibn 'Abd-Kulal al-Himyari, which confirms that he is the son of the regent 'Abd-Kulal who is also a Christian, albeit a follower of Nontrinitarianism. He has a similar name to his predecessor, Marthad'ilan Yu'nim, although he is certainly not from the dynasty of Sharhabil Yakkuf.[4]
Reign
Marthad'ilan Yanuf was a diplomatic ruler with many construction projects. He welcomed three ambassadors from the Aksumite Empire into Yemen and supported a project to build a residence for them at Dhofar.[1][2] He also financed the construction of a dam to help with the agriculture and farming.[3] Marthad'ilan Yanuf reigned for fifteen years, afterwards he was succeeded by Ma'dikarib Ya'fur.[5][6]
Marthad'ilan Yanuf was also known to have had interactions with soothsayers, especially with a priestess named Afina.[7]