386 CONQUF.ST Ol- AFRICA AXD SPAIN. 



a garrison, it became the capital of the province and 

 the residence of the governors. In later ages it 

 increased in wealth and population, maintained a 

 flourisliing trade, and was celebrated for its stately 

 buildings and its eminence as a seat of learning. 



With all his precautions Akbah was unable to 

 maintain his recent conquests. The crowds of dis- 

 contented Greeks and Moors that had been at- 

 tracted to his standard perfidiously threw off their 

 fickle allegiance. This general defection recalled 

 the impetuous conqueror from the shores of the 

 Atlantic. Of the mutiny just ready to explode he 

 was apprized by an Arab chief, who had disputed 

 with him the command ; and was then suffering in 

 irons the punishment of his unsuccessful ambition. 

 The insurgents had trusted to the discontent and 

 revenge of the captive ; but he generously disdained 

 their offer, and preferred to die with his countiymen. 

 The rebellious multitude surrounded them in their 

 camp, and left them no resource but that of an hon- 

 ourable death, in the hour of danger, Akbah un- 

 locked the prisoner's fetters and advised him to 

 retire ; but he chose to perish with his rival. The 

 ardour of friendship revived ; they unsheathed their 

 scimitars, broke their scabbards, and maintained with 

 the zeal of martyrs an obstinate combat, till they fell 

 by each others "side among the last of their sLuiofht- 

 ered band. Zobeir, the third commander of Africa, 

 revenged on the natives the fate of his predecessor. 

 He vanquished them in many battles, but his victo- 

 ries were not productive of any solid conquest ; and 

 in attempting to reduce the Greek dependencies on 

 the seacoast, he was totally defeated by the power- 

 ful armament which the Emperor Justinian II. had 

 sent to the reUef of Carthage. Abdolmalec, on his 

 accession, undertook the subjugation of the West on 

 a sounder plan, and with far superior resources. 

 The standard was intrusted to Hassan, governor ol 



