Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Amr ibn Kulthum

Role / Field:

Poet and chieftain of the Taghlib tribe in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Born:

526

Died:

600

Century / Era:

526s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

ʿAmr ibn Kulthūm ibn Mālik ibn ʿAttāb ʾAbū Al-ʾAswad al-Taghlibi (Arabic: عمرو بن كلثوم; 526–584) was a poet and chieftain of the Taghlib tribe in pre-Islamic Arabia. One of his poems was included in the Mu'allaqat. He is the grandson of the poet Abu Layla al-Muhalhel. The great Basus War, which was between the Taghlibs and the Bakrs, lasted for approximately forty years until the Lakhmids king of al-Hirah, 'Amr ibn Hind, urged them to make peace with each other on condition that some of their children were to be taken hostages by the king.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The King of Hira said one day to his drinking companions, "Do you know anyone among the Arabs whose mother declines serving my mother?" They replied, "Yes, Amr Ibn Kulthum." The king asked, "Why is that?" His companions replied, "Because her father is Abu Layla al-Muhalhel, her uncle is Kulaib ibn Rabiah , her spouse is Kulthum Ibn Malik Ibn Etab an astounding knight of Arabs and her son is Amr ibn Kulthum chief of his clan." After that the king sent for Amr Ibn Kulthum asking him to visit along with his mother Layla. Ibn Kulthum accepted the king's invitation and visited him with his companions and his mother. After they arrived...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Jinheung of Silla — Contemporary (Born in 526) (526): 24th monarch of Silla, responsible for immense territorial expansion and political struggles.
• Theodoric the Great — Contemporary (Died in 526) (526): Ostrogothic King of Italy and powerful ruler of the former Western Roman Empire.
• Adi ibn Zayd — Contemporary (Died in 600) (600): A prominent 6th-century Arab Christian poet and court secretary from al-Hirah.
• Bahram Chobin — Contemporary (Born in 600) (600): Sasanian general and political leader who briefly ruled the late Sasanian Empire.
• Barbad — Contemporary (Born in 600) (600): A distinguished Persian musician-poet and theorist of the Sasanian court.
• Antarah ibn Shaddad — Contemporary figure (Born in 525) (525): Pre-Islamic Arab poet and knight, famed for his poetry and valor.
• Boethius — Contemporary figure (Died in 524) (524): Influential Roman philosopher and statesman of the 6th century AD.
• Alboin — Contemporary figure (Born in 530) (530): King of the Lombards, whose rule marked the beginning of Lombard dominance in Italy.
• Columba — Contemporary figure (Born in 521) (521): Irish abbot and missionary credited with founding Iona Abbey and spreading Christianity.
• 526 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 526
• 600 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 600

Frequently Asked Questions about Amr ibn Kulthum