notice; the two met on the river-bank, and Muḥammad struck him, hurling him and his horse into the water.

The next morning a Roman knight called for a duel, saying, “Where is the man who slew our rider yesterday?” Muḥammad’s father refused to let him go out, but at the hour of the midday siesta, while his father slept, he mounted his horse and rode straight to the enemy camp. Someone informed the king, “This is Saʿd’s son.” He was admitted into the king’s audience, honoured, and asked, “What do you want?” He replied, “My father has forbidden me to fight—so where is the challenger?” The king said, “Do not disobey your father.” He answered, “I must.”

The challenger appeared; they met, and the Roman struck Muḥammad on the sidepiece of his helmet, while Muḥammad struck back and unhorsed him. He then pointed his lance to finish him off, but the Romans interposed, and the king granted him a reward.

Among his exploits was the day of Nuwala (1). He had with him one hundred horsemen while the Romans numbered one thousand. He charged alone; more than twenty lances converged upon him, yet they could not unseat him. Had it not been for the strength of his armour he would have perished. His companions cut him free, the Romans were routed, and he pursued them from noon until nightfall, after which he concluded a ten-year truce with them.

I say: Al-Yasaʿ ibn Ḥazm has several historical notices about Ibn Mardanīsh. He states that, up to the date of our writing, he has been in power for twenty-five years. I think he assumed sovereignty shortly after 540 AH.

Al-Yasaʿ further says: “Fortune continued to serve him. He gathered craftsmen to manufacture engines of war, for building and stucco-work; he busied himself with erecting marvellous palaces, pleasure grounds, and vast gardens, and he cemented ties by marrying into the family of the commander-in-chief, Abū Isḥāq ibn Hamushk (2).”