Amr ibn Kulthum
Pre-Islamic poet and chieftain of the Taghlib tribe.
One of his poems was included in the Mu'allaqat, and he is the grandson of the poet Abu Layla al-Muhalhel.
- field
- Poetry, tribal chieftaincy
- nationality
- Pre-Islamic Arabia (Taghlib tribe)
- known_for
- Mu'allaqat poem; decapitation of King 'Amr ibn Hind
Lore & Background
ʿAmr ibn Kulthum was a chieftain of the Taghlib tribe during the pre-Islamic era. The great Basus War between the Taghlibs and the Bakrs lasted approximately forty years until the Lakhmids king of al-Hirah, 'Amr ibn Hind, urged peace on condition that some children were taken as hostages. According to a story that may be a legend of the Umayyad era, the king asked his drinking companions if any Arab's mother would refuse to serve his mother. They named ʿAmr ibn Kulthum, citing his mother's distinguished lineage: her father was Abu Layla al-Muhalhel, her uncle Kulaib ibn Rabiah, her spouse Kulthum ibn Malik ibn Etab, and her son ʿAmr ibn Kulthum. The king then invited ʿAmr and his mother Layla to visit. When the king's mother Hind asked Layla to pass a plate, Layla refused, and after insistence shouted 'What a humiliation!' Hearing this, ʿAmr decapitated the king and killed his guards before leaving.
Reader's Guide
ʿAmr ibn Kulthum is significant as a pre-Islamic poet whose work was included in the Mu'allaqat, a collection of seven celebrated odes. His surviving poems—only four have come down—include the Mu'allaqah, which opens with a wine song (possibly added later) and moves through themes of a lady's departure, sword-fight joy, grief (camels for young, mothers for sons, lovers' parting, fate's blows), and the uncertainty of life. He addresses the grandfather of the victim, defends his mother, and lauds his ancestors. The story of his killing King 'Amr ibn Hind, though possibly legendary from the Umayyad era, underscores his reputation for defending honor. His legacy lies in his poetic contribution to the Mu'allaqat and his role as a tribal chieftain in the context of the Basus War and Lakhmids diplomacy.
Did You Know?
- He is the grandson of the poet Abu Layla al-Muhalhel.
- Only four of his poems have survived.
- The story of his decapitating King 'Amr ibn Hind may be a legend of the Umayyad era.
- His Mu'allaqah opens with eight verses that are a wine song, possibly added later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What roles did Amr ibn Kulthum hold in his society?
He functioned as both a leading poet and a political-military leader of the Taghlib tribe. This dual identity as wordsmith and warlord made him one of the most prominent figures in pre-Islamic Arabian tribal life.
Why is Amr ibn Kulthum important to the study of ancient poetry?
His selection for the Mu'allaqat places him among the supreme voices of pre-Islamic Arabic verse. He also descended from a literary family, being the grandson of the poet Abu Layla al-Muhalhel, which highlights the deep poetic lineage of the Taghlib.
What is the Mu'allaqat and how does Amr ibn Kulthum connect to it?
The Mu'allaqat is a celebrated anthology of pre-Islamic odes traditionally said to have been displayed on the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca. Amr ibn Kulthum had one of his poems chosen for this collection, marking his work as a pinnacle of early Arabic literary achievement.
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