252 
REVOLT OF THE ARABS. 
tyrants. This, of course, the pashalick denominates rebellion ; 
though the independent minds of these people have never suf¬ 
fered themselves to be virtually subjugated by any of the 
numerous powers which have assailed them. Indeed, their habits 
defy the common means of subjection ; and the late attack on 
their real freedom, was instantly resented by most of the tribes 
nominally under the influence of the pasha of Bagdad, and who 
occupy the districts I have just mentioned. Several assembled 
in considerable strength on the eastern side of the Tigris, in 
the vicinity of Tackt-i-Kesra ; now again a field, having of old 
been an enc'ampment which, in after-times, formed the site of 
Ctesiphon : out of the ruins of which city, mingled with those of 
its opposite neighbour the Grecian Seleucia, the Persian mo- 
narchs built the famous capital of A1 Maidan, and adorned it with 
the Tackt-i-Kesra, or palace of the renowned Noushirvan, Khos- 
roo the Great. Other tribes, of a still wilder and more deter¬ 
mined description, collected in similar force beyond Plillah, on 
the western side of the Euphrates, and stretching towards Fe- 
lugia. This is a tract pregnant with interest; for between the 
last named place, and the bitumen springs of Hit, the battle of 
Cunaxa was fought, in which the younger Cyrus lost his life, 
and whence Xenophon made a retreat more brilliant than 
victory. 
A few days before my arrival at Bagdad, a detachment had 
been sent by the pasha to reduce the insurgents on this side of 
the river. The chastising band was not very numerous, but 
formed of the elite of his troops, many of whom were Georgians, 
and being commanded by the chief of his Mamelukes, the most 
sanguine hopes were entertained of their entire success over the 
rebels ; but the reverse was so much the case, that a very in- 
