CHAPTER VI

THE EMIRATE

Abd-al-Aziz--His Wise Administration--His Execution ordered by the Khalif--Ayub-Ibn-Habib--His Reforms--Al-Horr--Al-Samh--His Invasion of France--His Defeat and Death--Abd-al-Rahman--Feud of the Maadites and Kahtanites--Its Disastrous Effects--Anbasah-Ibn-Sohim--His Ability--He penetrates to the Rhone and is killed--Yahya-Ibn-Salmah--Othman-Ibn-Abu-Nesa --Hodheyfa-Ibn-al-Awass--Al-Haytham-Ibn-Obeyd --Mohammed-Ibn-Abdallah--Abd-al-Rahman--His Popularity--Proclaims the Holy War--Treason of Othman-Ibn-Abu-Nesa--The Emir attempts the Conquest of France--Character of Charles Martel--Battle of Poitiers--Death of Abd-al-Rahman--Abd-al-Melik--Okbah-Ibn-al-Hejaj--His Wisdom and Capacity--Charles Martel ravages Provence--Berber Revolt in Africa--Victory of the Rebels--Abd-al-Melik-Ibn-Kottam--Balj-Ibn-Beschr--Thalaba --Abu-al-Khattar--Condition of Western Europe--Unstable and Corrupt Administration of the Emirs--Importance of the Battle of Poitiers 266