In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire

Barbarians, Mercenaries and Rebels

Zenobia

Queen of Palmyra and—briefly, following Shapur I’s capture of Valerian—much of the Roman East.

Mavia

Fourth-century Arab queen who briefly emulated Zenobia’s conquests.

Mundhir

Persian attack-dog and King of the Lakhmids.

Arethas

Roman attack-dog and King of the Ghassanids.

Julian

Leader of the Samaritan revolt against Justinian.

Yusuf As’ar Yath’ar

Jewish king of Himyar.

Theoderic

Mustachioed Ostrogothic king of Italy.

Nehemiah

Jewish leader who attempted, after the capture of Jerusalem by the Persians, to rebuild the Temple.

Arculf

A Frankish pilgrim to Jerusalem in the reign of Mu’awiya.