[7] During the late 4th century AD, the local population converted to Judaism, and a Jewish kingdom known as Himyar was established.

[10] In response to the persecution of Christians, Negus Kālēb dispatched a punitive expedition to Arabia Felix led by general Ḥayyān.

[11] The initial military campaign was successful and the Aksumites brought to power a Himyar Christian by the name of Maʿdīkarib Yaʿfur.

[14][15] In response to the massacres of Christians by Dhū Nuwās, the Byzantine emperor Justin I sent a call to arms through the Patriarch of Alexandria Timothy IV, and Negus Kālēb decided to lead his armies in person into another invasion in 525.

[17] In 535, a Christian Aksumite general by the name of Abrǝhā revolted against Sumūyafa Ashwa and seized power, declaring himself King of Himyar.