The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

A.D. 7S5-809] WAR WITH T?IE GREEKS 477
In the second year of this reign, a serious rising under
a Khariji leader stirred the whole province of Mosul into
insurrection. Abu Hureira, the governor of Mesopotamia,
was discomfited by the rebel, who gained possession of the
city. hVcsh troops were despatched, and in the end peace
was restored. But the Caliph was so displeased with the
failure of Abu Hureira, that he was in consequence brought
to Bagdad, and there put to death.
The security of the Syrian frontier was the early care
of Harun, both on the side of Armenia threatened by
the Khazar hordes, and of Asia Minor threatened by the
Greeks. One of his first acts was to create a new charge
towards the west, under a Turkish general,^ with Tarsus as
its strongly fortified headquarters. War was waged almost
every year with the Greeks, and Harun over and again
either joined his forces, or watched their progress on the
frontier, for which his
residence at Ar-Rakka gave him easy
opportunity. The Muslims also began to be successful
at sea ; Crete and Cyprus were attacked and the Greek
admiral taken prisoner.- In the raids on the frontier, a
multitude of captives and vast booty were secured. But
fortune varied ; there were serious reverses, and on one
occasion, severe loss and suffering from cold in the passes.
In 181 A.ir., Harun headed a large force in person, and,
Constantinople being distracted at home, great victories
were achieved as far as Ephesus and Ancyra. Prisoners
were thereafter exchanged 4CXX) Muslims were recovered
;
amid great rejoicings ; and Irene, on payment of tribute,
obtained a four years' truce. An advance was subsequentlymade
by Al-Kasim, the Caliph's third son, but withdrawn
on the Greeks sending in several hundred prisoners. .A
sudden irruption of the Khazar into .Armenia was with
difficulty repelled.
Soon after, Nicephorus having succeeded to the throne is
said to have sent this insulting epistle to the Caliph :— " From
Nicephorus, king of the Greeks, to Harun, king of the Arabs.
1
The first notice of a Turkish chief placed in a military command.
We shall soon find them coming to the front in all departments, and
especially at the head of the Muslim armies.
- This from Cireck authorities, who state that on refiisin.i; to embrace
Islam, Harun had him beheaded. Muslim writers do not mention him.
A.H. 1G9-
193-
Rising at
Mosul,
171 A.H.
Death of
Abu
Hureira.
Asia Minor.
Created
separate
government,
170 A.H.
Naval
operations,
175 A.H.
Harun takes
the fiel.l,
181 A.H.
Irene
tributary,
186 A.H.