CHAPTER XVI
The Frontier Fortresses[1] of Syria
Moslem razzias beyond the frontiers. I was informed by certain sheikhs from Antioch and by others that in the days of ʿUmar and ʿUthmân, and after their time, the frontier cities of Syria included Antioch and other cities called later al-ʿAwâṣim by ar-Rashîd. The Moslems used to lead their raids beyond these cities as they now raid what is beyond Ṭarsûs. Between Alexandretta and Ṭarsûs lay Greek forts and frontier garrisons, similar to those through which the Moslems now pass, and the inhabitants of which would sometimes, because of fear, leave them and flee to the Byzantine Empire, and sometimes, Byzantine fighters would be brought and stationed in them. It is said that when Heraclius left Antioch, he joined to himself the people of these towns, so that the Moslems might not be able to go between Antioch and the land of the Byzantines through a cultivated land.
Ibn-Ṭaibûn[2] al-Baghrâsi from certain sheikhs:—The latter said, "What is known to us is that Heraclius moved the men from these forts, which he shattered. So, when the Moslems made their raids, they found them vacant. In certain cases the Greeks would make an ambush by these forts and take by surprise those of the army who were held back or cut off. Thus the leaders of the summer and winter campaigns, on entering the Greek land, would leave heavy troops in these forts until their return."
