A famous siege led by Abraha in Islamic tradition, the leader of Aksumite Himyar, who had sought to expand his authority in Arabia, and challenge Mecca's religious prominence. This event is one of the most famous acts of warfare in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Siege Around 570, Abraha had besieged Mecca, while the defender of Mecca was the grandfather of Muhammad, Abd al-Muttalib, since the siege would be broken before the city was captured because of a smallpox increase amongst the men of Abraha as suggested by some modern scholars.

Aftermath After the failure of the siege, Mecca had enhanced it's prestige and sanctuary, as in later sources it'd be called the Year of the Elephant.

See also

List of wars and battles in pre-Islamic Arabia

References