114 
E. C. Eoss —Annals of'‘Oman. 
[No. 2, 
Meanwhile the Persians had made ready to attack him, and the Mar¬ 
zaban ordered the trumpets to be sounded and the drums beaten, and set 
out with all his host from Sohar. It is said his army numbered more than 
40,000 men, and some say 30,000, and he had with him elephants. He 
proceeded towards el-Jowf to encounter Malik, and halted at the plain of 
Selut near Nezwa. When Malik received intelligence of this, he set out 
for the plain of Selut with 0,000 men, and encamped opposite the army of 
the Marzaban, They remained in their respective positions that day with¬ 
out fighting. Malik-bin Fahm spent the night drawing up his forces in 
order of battle, forming them into right and left wings, and centre, and 
stationing the horsemen of the el-Azd in position. He placed his son 
Honat in command of the right wing, gave the left to his son Ferahid, and 
took his station himself in the centre with chosen men. The Marzaban 
also was similarly employed, and both sides were prepared. Malik mount¬ 
ed a pie-bald charger, clad in his armour over which he wore a red robe, 
and on his head was his iron helmet encircled by a yellow turban. His sons 
and the warriors of the el-Azd were similarly accoutred in armour and hel¬ 
met, their eyes only being visible. 
When the ranks were formed in order of battle, Malik went around 
and addressed his followers troop by troop, encouraging them and exhorting 
them to stand firm and warning them that if they fled, they would be pur¬ 
sued and destroyed by the Persians. 
The Marzaban then advanced with all his forces under their comman¬ 
ders, placing his elephants in front. 
Malik met them with his followers crying out to his men of the el- 
Azd to charge with him, and to ply the elephants with their swords and 
javelins. 
Thereupon he charged and his men charged with him, and they 
attacked the elephants with sword and spear, piercing them with darts until 
the elephants goaded by their weapons turned in flight, trampling under 
foot many of the Marzaban’s men. Malik then fell on the army of the 
Marzaban with all his men, piercing the ranks of the Persians. The latter 
rallied together, and the two forces continued to fight with fury, and noth¬ 
ing could be heard but the clashing of their weapons. The battle was kept 
up the whole of that day until the fall of night separated the opposing 
armies, and they retired to their respective positions leaving many dead and 
wounded. 
The next day the conflict was renewed and kept up until night, the 
Persians losing many of their men. 
On the third day the battle was again renewed and the Persian com¬ 
mander having been slain by Malik in single combat, the Persian armv gave 
way and fled, losing an immense number in killed and wounded. 17 
