Al-Kahina: The Last Ally of the Roman-Byzantines in the Maghreb Against the Muslim Arab Conquest?

ABSTRACT

This article re-examines the sources on al-Kahina, the famous Berber leader and prophetess of the Aures Mountains, as well as the Byzantine military and political situation in the Maghreb in the late 7th Century C.E. in order to determine the Kahina's relationship with the Byzantines during her resistance war against the conquering Arabs. Historical facts have been separated from legends and traditions. It thus becomes clear that the Kahina, as a Christian, allied herself to the Roman- Byzantines. She did so in her capacity as a Berber Queen. From a Byzantine point of view, and within the context of the political theory as well as reality of the Roman-Byzantine ideology and military tradition, she belonged to the Afro-Byzantine symmachoi. The ‘conversion’ of her sons to Islam on her orders is possible but not certain.

Keywords:

• al-Kahina
• Arab conquest of Maghreb
• Byzantine Africa
• Christian Berbers