The Bir Murayghān inscription may record an attack on this city, whose destruction by Nubians was prophesied in the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius. John bar Penkaye reported that rebels in this city opposed Miaphysites like the Kalb (“kelb”) in a primary account of a war that damaged it in two catapult bombardments. Based on Sebeos, this city was recast as a cradle of messianic Judaism by Patricia Crone (“KROH-nuh”), who denied that it profited from the incense trade. The first shamsa crown was stolen in a caravan raid on this city by oligarchic Seveners based in Bahrain’s al-’Ahsā oasis. The Second Fitna ended after a 692 siege of the Zubayrid capital in this city, which was sacked in 930 by the Qarmatians. For 10 points, what city was invaded by Abraha from Ḥimyar in the “Year of the Elephant,” possibly to supplant pilgrimage fairs held by the Quraysh? ■END■
ANSWER: Mecca [or Makkah al-Mukarramah] (The Bir Murayghān inscription records an Arabian expedition by Abraha in 552, rather than 570.)
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= Average correct buzz position