Abraha
| Abraha | |
|---|---|
| King of Himyar | |
14th-century Persian illustration of Abraha on his attempted destruction of the Kaaba, taken from a "Tarikhnama" (history book). | |
| Tenure | 535–560/570 |
| Predecessor | Sumyafa Ashwa |
| Successor | Yaksum ibn Abraha |
| Born | Kingdom of Aksum |
| Died | c. 570 |
| Issue | Yaksum, Masruq |
Abraha (Ge’ez: አብርሀ) (also spelled Abreha, died presumably 570 CE) was an Aksumite viceroy of Himyar (modern-day Yemen) and a large part of Arabia for over 30 years in the 6th century. Originally a general in the Aksumite army that invaded Yemen around 525 CE, Abraha seized power by deposing the Christian Himyarite king installed by Kaleb.
He is famous for the tradition of his failed siege of Mecca, an event that is referred to as the Year of the Elephant in Islamic tradition, using an army that included war elephants. This event is interpreted by some to be the historical context behind Surah Al-Fil, the 105th surah of the Quran. A newly discovered Himyarite inscription may mention elephants, offering potential support for this battle having taken place.