The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

58 ABU BEKR [chap. VIII.
A.II. 12. to defend them, and they on their part pledged allegiance,
and bound themselves to give notice if danger threatened.
Persia
paralysed by
internal
troubles.
Garrisons were quartered here and there, and the troops
held ready in movable columns. Thus the country west
of the Euphrates was kept in check, and also the lower Delta
to the east. Throughout this region none was secure from
rapine but such as had entered into engagements. Hostages
were taken for the revenue ; and a formal discharge given
upon its payment. The tribute, as well as the booty, was
all distributed amongst the army " for the strengthening
of its will and emboldening of its courage."
Persia meanwhile was hopelessly distracted. Male
progeny near the throne had been so ruthlessly massacred,
that no heir of royal blood could anywhere be found, and
a rapid succession of feeble claimants was set up by the
princesses left to form the Court. Thus paralysed, the
Persians did little more than protect Al-Medain by holding
in force the country opposite as far as the Nahr-shir, a deep
channel which, drawn from the Euphrates, flowed athwart
Anbar.
the Peninsula. This line was threatened by Al-Muthanna
;
but Abu Bekr gave stringent orders that no advance should
be made till all was secure behind. No tidings, moreover,
had as yet been received from 'lyad at Duma, with whom
co-operation was imperative. Khalid fretted at remaining
thus inactive, " playing," as he complained, " for so many
months the woman's part," But he curbed his ardour, and
contented himself with inditing two letters, in imperious
tone, one to "the Princes of Persia," the other to "the
Satraps and inhabitants at large."
Towards the north and west, however, aggressive measures
were continued. Siege was laid to Al-Anbar, a fortress on
the Euphrates some eighty miles above Babylon, The
worn-out camels of the army were slain and cast into the
deep fosse, which thus was crossed and the city captured.
The Persian governor sued for terms, and was permitted
to retire. Al-Anbar and the well-watered neighbourhood
thus secured, the army attacked 'Ain at-Tamr, the Spring
of the Date palm, a fortress on the desert border three days'
journey farther west. The Persian troops were here
supported by a great gathering of Arab tribes, and among
them the same Taghlib levies which had followed their