THE DECLINE AND FALL

358

CHAP.

LI.

Characterof theircaliphs.

contempt; but the rapid progress of the im-postor awakened the fears of his successor ;forty thousand Moslems were assembledunder the standard of Caled ; and theexistence of their faith was resigned to theevent of a decisive battle. In the first action,they were repulsed with the loss of twelve hun-dred men ; but the skill and perseverance oftheir general prevailed: their defeat wasavenged by the slaughter of ten thousand infi-dels ; and Moseilama himself was piercedby an .'Ethiopian slave with the same javelinwhich had mortally wounded the uncle of Ma-homet. The various rebels of Arabia, withouta chief or cause, were speedily suppressed bythe power and discipline of the rising mo-narchy ; and the whole nation again professed,and more stedfastly held, the religion of theKoran. The ambition of the caliphs providedan immediate exercise for the restless spirit ofthe Saracens ; their valour was united in theprosecution of an holy war ; and their enthu-siasm was equally confirmed by the oppositionand victory.

From the rapid conquests of the Saracens apresumption will naturally arise, that the firstcaliphs commanded in person the armies of thefaithful, and sought the crown of martyrdom inthe foremost ranks of the battle. The courageof Abubeker, d Omar, 6 and Othman/ had indeed

J His reign in Eutychius , tom. ii, p. 251 ; Elmacin, p. 18 ; Abulpha-rogius, p. 108 ; Abulfcda, p. GO; tl’Herbelot, p. 58.

e His reign in Eutychius, p, 264 ; Elmacin, p. 24 ; Abulpharagius , p.110 , Abulfcda, p. 60; d’Hcrlnlot, p 08G.

f His reign in Eutychius , p 323; Elmacin, p 3G; Abulpliaragius, p.115 ; Abulfcda, p. 75; d'llcrbclnt, p. G05.