A.H. 15–16.
of untold rarity and cost. The lucky capture of a train of mules disclosed an unexpected prize consisting of the tiara, robes, and girdle of the King. The Arabs gazed in wonder at the crown, jewelled swords, and splendour of the throne; and, among other marvels, at a camel of silver, large as life, with rider of gold; and a golden horse, with emeralds for teeth, its neck set with rubies, and its trappings of gold. The precious metals lost their value, for gold was plentiful as silver. Rich works of art in sandal-wood and amber were in the hands of everyone, hoards of musk and spicy products of the East. Camphor lay about in sacks, and was at first by mistake kneaded with the cakes as salt. The prize agents had a heavy task, for each man’s share (and the army now numbered 60,000) was twelve thousand pieces,[1] besides special largesses for the more distinguished. The army forwarded to Medīna, beyond the royal fifth, such rare and precious things as might stir the wonder of the simple Citizens at home. To the Caliph they sent, as fitting gift, the regalia of the Empire, and the sword of the Chosroes.[2] But the spectacle of the day was the royal banqueting carpet, seventy cubits long and sixty broad. It represented a garden, the ground wrought in gold, and the walks in silver; meadows of emeralds, and rivulets of pearls; trees, flowers, and fruits of sparkling diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones. When the rest of the spoil had been disposed of, ʿOmar took counsel what should be done with the carpet. The most advised to keep it as a trophy of Islām. But ʿAlī, reflecting on the instability of earthly things, objected; and the Caliph, accepting his advice, had it cut in pieces and distributed with the other booty. The part which fell to ʿAlī's lot fetched twenty thousand dirhems.
Al-Medāin offering every convenience for the seat of government, Saʿd now established himself there. The palaces and mansions of the fugitive nobles were divided
- ↑ Say £400 or £500 sterling for each soldier; from which (adding also the fifth) the entire value of the booty may be gathered. The treasure alone was put at 1500 million pieces, a like sum having been taken away by Rustem for the Ḳādisīya campaign.
- ↑ Four other swords were taken: that of the Kaisar kept by Saʿd, and of Bahram by Al-Ḳaʿḳāʿ; a third, of the Khāḳān of the Turks; and a fourth, of the "King of Hind."
