Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

42) Bannes writes to Heraclius
Part 3: AI- Yarmuk
In the morning the Muslims adopted military formation and looked towards the
Roman camp from where thundering and commotion was emanating. They realised
that something was happening. Abu 'Ubaydah.ss said, "Leave them for the wrong-
doer is always defeated."
The four Roman generals went to Bannes to ask him permission to commence the
battle.
Bannes : How can I fight on the side of such a tyrannical nation. If you are free men
then go and defend your empire and women.
Generals : We want to fight now. By Christ! We will not leave them until we have
expelled them from Syria back to their own lands. Either they will kill us or we will
kill them. Rely on our word, get up and come with us against them. Once you have
decided on battle you can appoint each day one of us to lead the fight and vie with
the others until you see who is the stronger and better warrior and who will
humiliate the 'Arabs. We will gather all our children, wives and wealth and if we are
victorious will return everything to its place. If they are victorious then our families
can return to their lands. This matter between us will be settled in ~ day or two.
The accursed Bannes : Give me respite until I write to Heraclius about that.
He then wrote to Heraclius the following letter:
o Caesar, I ask God to grant you and your army victory, to grant your
subjects honour and victory. You despatched me with countless numbers.
When I came to them I made offers which they refused. I offered peace which
they rejected. I offered them a reward for withdrawing but they did not leave.
Caesar s army is terrified of them. Ifear that cowardice has spread amongst
them and that fear has entered their hearts. That is because of the great
amount of oppression which exists:
My advisors had gathered and decided upon going against them all together
and we will not leave them until God decides between us. If God should grant
victory to our enemy against us then the Earth runs according to His
decision. Know that this world is to leave you sooner or later so do not
despair at that part of it which has been lost. Do not covet for more of it to
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