Page:Baladhuri-Hitti1916.djvu/242

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226
THE ORIGINS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE

ʿAbd-al-Malik ibn-Marwân had given to al-Ḳaʿḳâʿ a part of this Ḥiyâr as fief, and to al-Ḳaʿkâ's uncle, al-ʿAbbâs ibn-Jazʾ ibn-al-Ḥârith other fiefs which he exempted from the kharâj[1] and assessed it on al-Yaman. They were also exempt after he died. All or most of them were waste land. The daughter of this al-ʿAbbâs, Wallâdah, lived with ʿAbd-al-Malik and brought forth al-Walîd and Sulaimân.

Abu-ʿUbaidah reduces Aleppo. Abu-ʿUbaidah set out for Aleppo sending before him ʿIyâḍ ibn-Ghanm al-Fihri. (The name of the latter's father was ʿAbd-Ghanm; but when ʿIyâḍ accepted Islâm, he hated to be called ʿAbd-Ghanm,[2] so he said, "I am ʿIyâḍ ibn-Ghanm"). Abu-ʿUbaidah, finding the people in a fortified position, camped around the city; but no sooner had he done so, than they sought to capitulate and make terms regarding the safety of their lives, their possessions, city wall, churches, homes and the fort. All this was granted them with the exception of a site for the mosque. The one to make the terms was ʿIyâḍ; and abu-ʿUbaidah sanctioned them.

Some reporters claim that they capitulated, agreeing to share with the Moslems half of their homes and churches provided their lives be spared. Others assert that abu-ʿUbaidah found nobody in Aleppo, its inhabitants having moved to Antioch. From there they agreed in writing with abu-ʿUbaidah on the terms of peace. When the terms were concluded, they returned to Aleppo.

Antioch reduced by abu-ʿUbaidah. Abu-ʿUbaidah set out from Aleppo for Antioch [Anṭâkiyah] in which a large body of men from the province of Ḳinnasrîn had fortified themselves. On his arrival at Mahrûbah, which lay about

  1. Ar. aughara. See Zaidân, vol. ii, p. 133.
  2. One of the pre-Islamic gods.