THE

HISTORY

OF THE

DECLINE AND PALL

OF THE

ROMAN EMPIRE

CONTENTS

OF THE

TENTH VOLUME.

CHAP. LII-

The two sieges of Constantinople by the Arabt.—Their invasion of

France, and defeat by Charles Martel.—Civil war of the Ommiades

andAbbassides.—Learning of the Arabs.—Luxury of the caliphs -

Naval enterprises on Crete, Sicily, and Rome.—Decay and division

of the empire of the caliphs.—Defeats and victories of the Greek

emperors.

A. D. Page.

668-675 The limits of the Arabian conquests - 1

First siege of Constantinople by the Arabs - 2

677 Peace and tribute ... g

716-718 Second siege of Constantinople - 8

Failure and retreat of the Saracens - - 13

Invention and use of the Greek fire - — 14

721 Invasion of France by the Arabs - - 18

731 Expedition and victories of Abderame 21

732 Defeat of the Saracens by Charles Martel - 24

They retreat before the Franks - - 27

746-750 Elevation of the Abbassides 28

750 Fall of the Ommiades 33

755 Revolt of Spain 33

Triple division of the Caliphate - 34

750-960 Magnificence of Ihe caliphs 35

Its consequences on private and public happiness 39

754, &.c. 813, &c. Introduction of learning among

the Arabians 41

Their real progress in the sciences - - 44

Want of erudition, taste, and freedom* - 50

781-805 Wars of Harau al Rashid against the Romans 52