Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 3: Al - Yarmuk
them. Perhaps Christ will help us against them. Be resolute and appoint whom you
will and leave us to fight the' Arabs.
3) Heraclius appoints his generals
Heraclius was happy with their reply and resolved to send the army with five
different kings of the Empire. He called for a brocade flag woven with red gold at the
top of which was a jewelled cross. He gave it to Canter, King of North Europe, and
put him in charge of 100,000 slaves and other horsemen. He also granted him a robe
of honour, crown, belt and arm-band.
(Translator s note: Names of Greeks and foreign nations and places have proven very
difficult to translate and have often been left in the 'Arabic form. The Rus were
ancient Vikings, not the Russians of today but the Vikings were not Christian at that
time, so I have translated "Rusiyah" as "Northern Europe. ")
The second flag was of white brocade with a golden sun embroidered in the middle.
At the tip of the flag was a cross made of emerald. He gave it to George, governor of
Amorium and Maluriyah. He also granted him a robe, arm-belt and belt and put him
in command of 100,000 horsemen of all the different nations of the Empire. The third
flag was of coloured "dastari" cloth with a picture of a gold cross on it. It was
handed over to Trajan, governor of Constantinople, and he was charged with over
100,000 Mongols, Franks and the Qaln. He was also given a robe, belt and bracelet.
The fourth flag was of black brocade. Heraclius gave it to Theodorus and appointed
him over another 100,000 of the Mongols and Armenians. The fifth flag was studded
with pearls and jewels. Its handle was of gold with a ruby cross on top. Heraclius
handed this over to Bannes, King of Armenia, whom he dearly loved because of his
bravery and cunning. He had fought the Persians and the Turks many times and had
always defeated them. Upon giving him the flag Heraclius took off the robe he was
wearing and gave it to him with a belt, arm-belt, crown and a chain which was only
permissible for the Emperors to wear.
Heraclius then said, "0 Bannes, I appoint you commander-in-chief of the entire
army. Your word and order will reign supreme."
Then he turned to the first four and said, "Your Crosses are under his Cross. He has
full authority over you, so do not do anything without his consultation. Seek out the
'Arabs wherever they may be and do not be weak-hearted. Defend your ancient faith
and just divine laws. Spread out and take four separate roads for if you all go together
the land will not be able to sustain such a huge army and you will destroy the land
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