Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/97

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IN ARABIA.
85

probably his son, was joined by the governors of Phœnicia and Mesopotamia, in the invasion of Hirah, and the mondar was compelled to fly and leave his dominions to the mercy of his enemies.[1] But the dissensions of the two Arab princes were seldom at rest, and as they had not been included in the articles of peace between Rome and Persia, they were now waging a constant war. In one of their disputes the king of Hirah, as well as a son of the king of Ghassan, fell.[2]

The invasion of Mesopotamia and Syria by Kobad, in the beginning of the reign of Justinian, was undertaken at the instigation of the king of Hirah, in whom the king of Persia placed unbounded confidence.[3] The Persian army was preceded by the Saracens, who were opposed in vain by the king of Ghassan.[4] The Arabs were quickly followed by Kobad himself, who was as closely watched by Belisarius, but either by the treachery or cowardice of Hareth, the king of the Arabs of Ghassan, the Romans were defeated.[5]

  1. Jo. Malala, pars altera, p. 165.
  2. Barhebræus, Hist. Dynast. p. 86.
  3. Procop. de Bell. Pers. lib. i. c. 17. p. 50. Αλαμουνδαρος μεν βασιλεως αξιωμα εχων ἁπαντων μονος των εν Περσαις Σαρακηνων ειχε την αρχην.
  4. Procop. ib. p. 51.
  5. Id. c. 18. p. 52.