—far beyond what he had hoped for—and they issued him an official charter investing him with authority over the whole of Syria.

In 510 AH al-Bursuqi, the ruler of Mosul, came to Syria on campaign, and Tughtekin marched by his side. They fell upon the Franks, victory was granted, and thousands of Franks were slain; thereafter a firm friendship grew between al-Bursuqi and the lord of Damascus.

In 511 AH the Franks made a sudden assault on Ḥamāh, killing 120 men (1) and committing atrocious outrages. That same year a flood demolished the wall of Sinjār, drowned countless people, and carried off the city gate; years later it reappeared beneath the sand at a distance of one postal stage. A newborn in his cradle floated along with the waters, became caught in an olive tree, and survived.

During that year Sultan Maḥmūd succeeded to the throne after his father Muḥammad. His father’s treasuries were spent on the armies; it was said that they amounted to eleven million dinars (2).

Al-Mustaẓhir Billāh died, leaving seven sons, and his son al-Mustarshid Billāh (3) led the funeral prayer over him.