Al-Hira, the Capital of the Lakhmids

Abstract

Before the beginning of the IV-VII centuries, Al-Hira was the capital of the Lakhmid state and one of the large central settlements of the Arabs. Its dynamic
development was facilitated by its geographical location, climate and outgoing trade. The caravan routes connecting the east and west of the Arabian Peninsula, the proximity to the Iranian capital Ctesiphon, which at the time was one of the largest cities in the world, all contributed to the fact that al-Hira residents were well acquainted with Iranian culture. At the same time, it remained an Arab city, maintaining a traditional Arab community, and had close ties to the Arab tribes of the eastern, western, and central Arabian Peninsula. A large part of its population was Christian, called Ibad ̶ a Nestorian community that united different tribes of Arabs. He had a close relationship with Hijaz.

Between Iran and Byzantium, the Lakhmids sided with the Iran and tried to gain control of the Hijaz, but in this case its main rival was Mecca, which in turn sought to establish ties with the Arab tribes living independently of the Lakhmids.

The article focuses on the Christian community of al-Hira, which made up a significant part of the city’s population and left a large mark on its development.