and he captured Sahyun (1), Bakkas (2), and al-Shughr, the last two being impregnable castles on the Orontes River, which he took by storm. He then seized the fortress of Barziyah (3), a mighty citadel perched on a lofty, well-defended mountain (4) beneath which lie deep valleys, renowned for its impregnability throughout the lands of both the Franks and the Muslims (5). He subjected it to the fiercest of sieges, mounted against it the great mangonels, and divided the army into three detachments, each one [taking up the fighting] (6); when one division tired and slackened, the next stepped in (7), so that the battle continued without pause—night and day, morning and evening. Its capture came during the sultan’s own watch [may he ever remain protected from failure] (8): he stormed it within a few days, plundered everything inside, seized its stores and wealth, slew its defenders and fighting men, and carried off (9) its women and children. He then moved on and captured the fortresses of Darbsak and Bughraas (10), each of which he likewise took by force, gaining booty and remaining safe—praise and gratitude belong to Allah. His lofty ambition next turned to the conquest of Antioch, [for he had already secured all] (11) the villages and towns surrounding it (12), and he strengthened his advantage over it with a great multitude of troops (13). The ruler of Antioch thereupon wrote to him, asking for a truce in return for the release of the Muslim prisoners he held (14). The sultan acceded (15) [to that] (16).
(1) Sahyun: A strong fortress in the coastal district of al-Sham, part of Homs province, not overlooking the sea. It was held by the Franks until Saladin recaptured it in 584 AH. Mu‘jam al-Buldan. It is today called Qalʿat Salah al-Din.
(2) Bikas: A fortress near Aleppo on the banks of the Orontes (al-‘Asi), supplied by a spring at its base. Between it and the frontier posts of al-Musayyisa stands another fortress called al-Shughr; between them lies a valley or trench also named al-Shughr. Both are near Antioch. Mu‘jam al-Buldan (under “Bikas” and “Shughr”).
(3) Barzuwayh (commonly pronounced Barzayh): A fortress by the Syrian coast perched on a towering mountain, proverbial among all Frankish lands for its impregnability. Surrounded by valleys on every side, its citadel rises some 570 cubits. Held by the Franks until Saladin captured it in 584 AH. Mu‘jam al-Buldan (under “Barzuwayh”).
(4) a, b: “shahiq jabal” (“lofty mountain”).
(5) T: “used as a proverb elsewhere.”
(6) T: “to fight.”
(7) T: “And when they ate and grew weary, the other army fell upon them.”
(8) In T the phrase “between them” is omitted, and their positioning appears in A. (May Allah have mercy on him.)
(9) B, T: “and he conscripted their offspring and children.”
(10) Baghras: A town overlooking the environs of Tarsus, four farsakhs from Antioch, on the right-hand route from Aleppo to Antioch. Held by the Franks until Saladin captured it in 584 AH. Mu‘jam al-Buldan.
(11) In T it reads “because he destroyed it.”
(12) Recorded only in T.
(13) A: “and his seeking support.”
(14) T: “prisoners.”
(15) Absent in T.
(16) Absent in B.