Page:Baladhuri-Hitti1916.djvu/316

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
300
THE ORIGINS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE

This same Manṣûr was governor of ar-Ruha when its inhabitants rebelled in the early part of the [Abbasid] dynasty and were besieged by al-Manṣûr, the ʿâmil of abu-l-ʿAbbâs over Mesopotamia and Armenia. When al-Manṣûr captured the city, Manṣûr took to flight; but when he was later given safe-conduct, he appeared on the scene. When ʿAbdallâh ibn-ʿAli dismissed abu-Jaʿfar al-Manṣûr, ʿAbdallâh made Manṣûr the chief of the guard in his district. When ʿAbdallâh fled to al-Basrah, Manṣûr disappeared but was discovered in the year 141 and brought before al-Manṣûr, who, on his way from Jerusalem, put him to death at ar-Raḳḳah. According to others, Manṣûr was given safe-conduct and appeared after the flight of [Abdallâh] ibn-ʿAli. After this there were found letters on him directed to the Greeks and betraying Islam. When al-Manṣûr, in the year 141, arrived at ar-Raḳḳah from Jerusalem, he sent someone who brought him; and he was beheaded at ar-Raḳḳah. Al-Manṣûr then departed for al-Hâshimîyah[1] at al-Kûfah.

In the caliphate of al-Mahdi, ar-Rashîd built the Manṣûr fort and stationed a garrison in it.

  1. Yâḳût, vol. iv, p. 946; Baghdâd under the Abbasid Caliphate, p. 5.