| Revision as of 08:21, 9 July 2010 editEpeefleche (talk | contribs)Pending changes reviewers150,049 edits adds← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:23, 9 July 2010 edit undoEpeefleche (talk | contribs)Pending changes reviewers150,049 edits Filling in 8 references using Reflinks | Script assisted date formattingNext edit → | ||
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| | spouse = | | spouse = | ||
| | partner = | | partner = | ||
| | children = Sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yussuf) |
| children = Sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yussuf)<ref name="google1">{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_QQNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA53&dq=himyarite+jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&hl=en&ei=dtQ2TPG_FMH6lweOuODTBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=himyarite%20jewish%20%22abu%20Kariba%22&f=false |title=History of the Jews - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date= |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> | ||
| | parents = | | parents = | ||
| | relations = | | relations = | ||
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| '''Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad''' ('''Abu Kariba''') was the ] king of ]. He ruled Yemen from 390-420 ].<ref name=Yemen /> | '''Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad''' ('''Abu Kariba''') was the ] king of ]. He ruled Yemen from 390-420 ].<ref name=Yemen /> | ||
| According to legend and various accounts, he was the first of several kings of ] to convert to ].<ref name=Dubnov/><ref name=History1/><ref name=Arabia/><ref name=Exodus/><ref name=Oriental/><ref name=Columbia/><ref name=Webster/> |
According to legend and various accounts, he was the first of several kings of ] to convert to ].<ref name=Dubnov/><ref name=History1/><ref name=Arabia/><ref name=Exodus/><ref name=Oriental/><ref name=Columbia/><ref name=Webster/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=9etoAAAAMAAJ&q=himyarite+jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&dq=himyarite+jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&hl=en&ei=atg2TI_oIMSblgfu1KTTBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCQ |title=The Jews of Khazaria - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=July 1, 2008 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kharif |first=Badr Al |url=http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=14594 |title=Loading |publisher=Aawsat.com |date=February 15, 2009 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> More recent scholarship has cast doubt on this claim, though a significant Jewish influence on Abu Kariba's kingdom is acknowledged. | ||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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| According to the traditional account, Abu Kariba undertook a military expedition to eliminate the growing influence of Byzantium in his northern provinces.<ref name=History1/> His forces reached ], which was then was known as "Yathrib". Not meeting any resistance, they passed through the town, leaving one of the king’s sons behind as governor of the town. A few days later, however, the people of Yathrib killed their new governor, the king's son. Upon receiving the news, the king turned his troops back to avenge his son’s death, and destroy the town. He ordered that all ] trees around the town be cut down, because the trees were the main source of the town's inhabitants' income, and then laid ] to the town.<ref name=History1/> | According to the traditional account, Abu Kariba undertook a military expedition to eliminate the growing influence of Byzantium in his northern provinces.<ref name=History1/> His forces reached ], which was then was known as "Yathrib". Not meeting any resistance, they passed through the town, leaving one of the king’s sons behind as governor of the town. A few days later, however, the people of Yathrib killed their new governor, the king's son. Upon receiving the news, the king turned his troops back to avenge his son’s death, and destroy the town. He ordered that all ] trees around the town be cut down, because the trees were the main source of the town's inhabitants' income, and then laid ] to the town.<ref name=History1/> | ||
| ]s of Yathrib fought alongside their pagan ] neighbors, trying to protect their town. During the siege, Abu Kariba fell ill. Two local Jewish scholars, named Kaab and Assad, took the opportunity to travel to his camp, and persuaded him to lift the siege. |
]s of Yathrib fought alongside their pagan ] neighbors, trying to protect their town. During the siege, Abu Kariba fell ill. Two local Jewish scholars, named Kaab and Assad, took the opportunity to travel to his camp, and persuaded him to lift the siege.<ref name="google2">{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-2A-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA53&dq=jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&hl=en&ei=0tg2TLPPCoaKlwe10szSBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=14&ved=0CG8Q6AEwDQ#v=onepage&q=jewish%20%22abu%20Kariba%22&f=false |title=The celebrities of the Jews: a ... - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=January 21, 2009 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> The scholars also inspired in the King an interest in Judaism, and he converted in 390, persuading his army to do likewise.<ref name=History1/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edt.missouri.edu/Summer2008/Thesis/HienzJ-081208-T11650/research.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - The Origins of Muslim Prayer.doc |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> Kaab and Assad later returned with Abu Kariba to his kingdom, where they were tasked with converting the population. However, while some scholars say the population converted on a wholesale basis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=2D8OAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA84&dq=jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&hl=en&ei=0tg2TLPPCoaKlwe10szSBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=15&ved=0CHQQ6AEwDg#v=onepage&q=jewish%20%22abu%20Kariba%22&f=false |title=Post-biblical history: a compendium ... - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=September 28, 2007 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=438-AAAAYAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&ots=hhpktiItZ6&sig=CCTXJW6uKBCBUoWuqRTZyI4WEoc#v=onepage&q=%20%22abu%20Kariba%22&f=false |title=The Bustan al-ukul - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=January 23, 2009 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref> others opine that only about half became converts, the rest maintaining their pagan beliefs and temples.<ref name=History1/> Among those who converted to Judaism was Harith Ibn-Amru, a nephew of Abu Kariba, who Abu-Kariba appointed Viceroy of the Maadites on the ], and headed the government of ] and Yathrib.<ref name="google1"/> | ||
| Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad was killed by his own soldiers, who tired of his constant military campaigns. He left three sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yusuf).<ref name=History1/> His youngest son (who as a strong follower of Judaism gave himself the Jewish name Yusuf) took over as king in 515. |
Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad was killed by his own soldiers, who tired of his constant military campaigns. He left three sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yusuf).<ref name=History1/> His youngest son (who as a strong follower of Judaism gave himself the Jewish name Yusuf) took over as king in 515.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BpNAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR7&dq=jewish+%22abu+Kariba%22&hl=en&ei=0tg2TLPPCoaKlwe10szSBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=jewish%20%22abu%20Kariba%22&f=false |title=The bustan al-ukul - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=March 10, 2009 |accessdate=July 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name="google2"/> | ||
| This traditional account of Abu Kariba's conversion was later challenged by author J. R. Porter, who said that the accounts in question appeared much later in the historical record, who opined that they have the status of myth or legend. However, Porter acknowledged that a move toward Judaism on Kariba's part would be "entirely credible", given the presence of powerful Jewish tribes in Yathrib. A later Himyarite king, ] (517–525CE) was "certainly" a convert to Judaism.<ref name=netton_p10>Porter, quoted in Netton, p. 10.</ref> | This traditional account of Abu Kariba's conversion was later challenged by author J. R. Porter, who said that the accounts in question appeared much later in the historical record, who opined that they have the status of myth or legend. However, Porter acknowledged that a move toward Judaism on Kariba's part would be "entirely credible", given the presence of powerful Jewish tribes in Yathrib. A later Himyarite king, ] (517–525CE) was "certainly" a convert to Judaism.<ref name=netton_p10>Porter, quoted in Netton, p. 10.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 08:23, 9 July 2010
| KingTub'a Abu Kariba As'ad | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Abu Karib |
| Years active | 390-420 CE |
| Known for | Conversion to Judaism (per legend) |
| Children | Sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yussuf) |
Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad (Abu Kariba) was the Himyarite king of Yemen. He ruled Yemen from 390-420 CE.
According to legend and various accounts, he was the first of several kings of Arabia to convert to Judaism. More recent scholarship has cast doubt on this claim, though a significant Jewish influence on Abu Kariba's kingdom is acknowledged.
Background
Fifth century Arabia was located between the two competing empires of Christian Byzantium and Zoroastrian Persia. Prized Indian spices were delivered over Arabia’s trade routes. Some historians believe that conversion to Judaism was a means by which the inhabitants of Arabia at the time could remain neutral vis-a-vis the neighboring powers, in order to grow their prosperity. Some others others say that the simplicity and philosophy of Judaism was attractive to the pagans of Arabia.
Alleged conversion
According to the traditional account, Abu Kariba undertook a military expedition to eliminate the growing influence of Byzantium in his northern provinces. His forces reached Medina, which was then was known as "Yathrib". Not meeting any resistance, they passed through the town, leaving one of the king’s sons behind as governor of the town. A few days later, however, the people of Yathrib killed their new governor, the king's son. Upon receiving the news, the king turned his troops back to avenge his son’s death, and destroy the town. He ordered that all palm trees around the town be cut down, because the trees were the main source of the town's inhabitants' income, and then laid siege to the town.
Jews of Yathrib fought alongside their pagan Arab neighbors, trying to protect their town. During the siege, Abu Kariba fell ill. Two local Jewish scholars, named Kaab and Assad, took the opportunity to travel to his camp, and persuaded him to lift the siege. The scholars also inspired in the King an interest in Judaism, and he converted in 390, persuading his army to do likewise. Kaab and Assad later returned with Abu Kariba to his kingdom, where they were tasked with converting the population. However, while some scholars say the population converted on a wholesale basis, others opine that only about half became converts, the rest maintaining their pagan beliefs and temples. Among those who converted to Judaism was Harith Ibn-Amru, a nephew of Abu Kariba, who Abu-Kariba appointed Viceroy of the Maadites on the Red Sea, and headed the government of Mecca and Yathrib.
Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad was killed by his own soldiers, who tired of his constant military campaigns. He left three sons Hasan, Amru, and Zorah (Yusuf). His youngest son (who as a strong follower of Judaism gave himself the Jewish name Yusuf) took over as king in 515.
This traditional account of Abu Kariba's conversion was later challenged by author J. R. Porter, who said that the accounts in question appeared much later in the historical record, who opined that they have the status of myth or legend. However, Porter acknowledged that a move toward Judaism on Kariba's part would be "entirely credible", given the presence of powerful Jewish tribes in Yathrib. A later Himyarite king, Dhu Nowas (517–525CE) was "certainly" a convert to Judaism.
Archeological evidence
Although the last Jewish king of Yemen, Dhu Nuwas, was overpowered in 525 CE after he was defeated by Christian Ethiopian invaders, other Jewish kingdoms continued in Arabia up until 620 CE. The last of them were destroyed with the rise of Islam. Archeologists have discovered inscriptions from the fifth and sixth centuries containing Jewish religious terms such as: "Rahman" ("the Merciful," a divine epithet), "the God of Israel", and the "Lord of Judah".
References
- ^ "History of the Jews - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- Nehama C. Nahmoud. "Yemen".
- Simon Dubnov (1980). History of the Jews: From the Roman Empire to the Early Medieval Period. Cornwall Books. p. 309. ISBN 978-0845366592.
- ^ Heinrich Graetz, Bella Löwy, Philipp Bloch (1902). History of the Jews, Volume 3. pp. 62–64.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Jewish Kingdoms of Arabia 390-626 CE Decimated by the rise of Islam".
- ^ S.B. Segall (2003). Understanding the Exodus and Other Mysteries of Jewish History. Etz Haim Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-0974046105.
- ^ The Oriental Herald, Volume 14. 1902. p. 544.
- Nathanael Ibn Al-fayyumi (1907). Columbia University Oriental Studies, Volume 6. The Columbia University Press. p. vii.
- Webster's Quotations, Facts and Phrases. Inc Icon Group International. p. 381.
- "The Jews of Khazaria - Google Books". Books.google.com. July 1, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- Kharif, Badr Al (February 15, 2009). "Loading". Aawsat.com. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- ^ "The celebrities of the Jews: a ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. January 21, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- "Microsoft Word - The Origins of Muslim Prayer.doc" (PDF). Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- "Post-biblical history: a compendium ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- "The Bustan al-ukul - Google Books". Books.google.com. January 23, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- "The bustan al-ukul - Google Books". Books.google.com. March 10, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- Porter, quoted in Netton, p. 10.
- Holland Thompson, Viscount James Bryce Bryce, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1915). The Book of History: The Near East. New York, The Grolier Society, and London, The Educational Book Co. p. 1,889.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Raphael Patai, Jennifer Patai (1967). The myth of the Jewish race, Volume 1988. Colombia University Press. p. 63.
External links
- Himyarite Kingdom: Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad, List of rulers of Saba and Himyar, Ancient history of Yemen, Yemenite Jews, Yemen, Sheba, Qataban, Hadhramaut, Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome, John McBrewster, Alphascript Publishing, 2009, ISBN 613021538X
- The Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614CE compared with Islamic conquest of 638CE.