126 A^XIE^■T kings of arabia; 



which we have already spoken, migrated northwards 

 into the territory of Damascus, where they founded a 

 dynasty of kings called the Gassanites (probably the 

 Cassanitas of Ptolemy), who derived their name from 

 Gassan, a fertile valley with a well, whose waters 

 they found so pleasant and convenient as to induce 

 them to settle on the spot. Several small princi- 

 palities existed in those districts before their arrival : 

 the chief of which were the tribe of Salih, who had 

 embraced Christianity, in consequence of which the 

 Roman emperor invested them with the government 

 of all the Syrian Arabs. These the emigrants (the 

 tribes of Aus and Khazraj) expelled, slew most of 

 their petty kings, and established their own sove- 

 reignty over the vanquished territories.* The dura- 

 tion of this monarchy, which comprehended thirty- 

 two kings, includes a period of little more than 400 

 years according to some ; Abulfeda computes it more 

 exactly at 616 ; while Nuvairi and others extend the 

 list to thirty-seven successions. The following table 

 is supplied by Hamza : — 



Kings of Gassan, — Reigned A.D. 37-C36. 



Reigned. 



Years. iMnnths. A.D. 



Jafnah(orHaneifal]) 45 3 37 



Amru I. 5 — 87 



Thalabah 17 — 104 



Harethl. 20 — 124 



Jabalahl. 10 — 134 



Hareth II. 10 — 144 



Mundar-Al-Akbar (the Great) ... 3 — 147 



Noomanl. - - 15 6 162 



* The cause of quarrel was the tribute which the Salihites 

 wished to impose on the colonists, in recompense for the privi- 

 leges they had granted them. Wearied with the importunities 

 of the tax-gatherer, the intepid Gadza presented a golden sword, 

 by way of pledge or substitute for the tribute ; and while the ob- 

 noxious officer was in the act of seizing it, he stabbed him to the 

 heart. Hence the proverb, the Gift of Gadza. — Rasmvsaen, Hisi. 

 Prmcip. Ardb. Reg. — Not<s. 



