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412 The receipt of this news made a deep impression on Yūsuf. He had caused distrust by executing three rebel Ḳuraishite chiefs at the instance of Ṣumail, and his resolution to attack the pretender immediately caused the desertion of almost the whole of his army, which was reluctant to undertake a fresh campaign in the depth of winter and in the mountainous district of Regio (Málaga). Yūsuf therefore opened negotiations with 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān. His envoys had an interview with 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān, whom they found surrounded by his little court, in which 'Ubaid-Allāh held the first place; and they offered him on Yūsuf's behalf a safe refuge in Cordova, the hand of Yūsuf's daughter as well as a large dowry and the lands of Caliph Hishām. They shewed him as evidence of good faith a letter from Yūsuf and promised him magnificent presents, left cautiously behind. These terms seemed satisfactory to the Umayyads: 'Ubaid-Allāh was on the point of answering Yūsuf's letter, when the envoy Khālid, a renegade Spaniard, insolently told him that he was incapable of writing a letter like his; 'Ubaid-Allāh's Arab pride was wounded by the Spaniard's reproach, and he gave orders for his arrest. The negotiations were broken off.

As soon as winter was over 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān advanced to Archidona, where the Ḳaisite governor, Jidār, proclaimed him Emir, and entered Seville about the middle of March 756. He then marched out towards Cordova along the left bank of the Guadalquivir, while Yūsuf advanced to Seville along the right bank. On sighting one another the two armies continued their march towards Cordova, still separated by the river. As soon as they reached Mosara, 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān resolved to give battle. By a cunning move he managed to cross the river without any opposition from Yūsuf, a manoeuvre which gave him provisions for his troops. On Friday, 14 May, a sacrificial feast, being the day of the battle of Marj Rāhit, which had given the crown to the Umayyads of the East, the combat opened. The cavalry of 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān routed the right wing and centre of the army commanded by Yūsuf and Ṣumail, who each saw the death of his own son. The left wing alone sustained the attack all day until all the notable Ḳaisites had fallen, including their chief 'Ubaid. The victors began to pillage: but 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān forbade it and shewed magnanimity in his treatment of Yūsuf's wife and sons. The Yemenites were offended by his generous behaviour, and formed a plot to kill him. However, he discovered the conspiracy, and no opposition was made to his offering as Imām the Friday prayers in the principal mosque of Cordova. Negotiations were begun, and finally Yūsuf recognised 'Abd-ar-Raḥmān as Emir of Spain in July 756. It was