Kingdom of Altava
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Kusaila
Tlemcen, Kingdom of Altava
Archival Overview
Christian Berber King of the Awreba confederation and Altava who defeated and killed Uqba ibn Nafi at the Battle of Vescera (Biskra) in 683 CE, ruling Kairouan for five years.
Biographical Record
Kusaila ibn Lemzem (c. 640–688 CE) was the charismatic monarch of the Awreba Berber confederation and the Christian Romano-Berber kingdom centered in Tlemcen and Altava. Following initial conflicts with Umayyad conqueror Uqba ibn Nafi, Kusaila was subjected to public humiliations that spurred him to armed rebellion.
In 683 CE, learning that Uqba had divided his army and was returning from the Atlantic with a small escort, Kusaila allied with Byzantine garrisons to ambush and annihilate Uqba's force at the Battle of Tahuda (near Biskra). Kusaila then marched on Kairouan, ruling as supreme monarch of Ifriqiya with remarkable tolerance for both Christians and Muslims until dying in battle in 688 CE.
Key Life Milestones
The Triumph at Tahuda (Biskra)
Ambushed and destroyed the army of Uqba ibn Nafi, ending early Umayyad expansion across the Maghreb.
Reign over Kairouan (683–688 CE)
Established an autonomous Romano-Berber kingdom in Kairouan based on religious tolerance.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialNear Kairouan, Tunisia