mes and combats, a certain _Joseph_ had succeeded in
triumphing over his different rivals, and was at last reigning supreme
in Cordova, when there occurred a memorable event in the East, which
was destined greatly to affect the condition of Spain.

From that period, A.D. 749, Heg. 134, commences the second epoch of the
empire of the Moors of Spain, which makes it necessary to revert
briefly to the history of the Eastern caliphs.

[1] The _Sabaei_, according to the best ancient authorities, were the
inhabitants of the extensive Arabian kingdom of _Saba_.--_Translator_.

[2] The term Moors, according to Bochart, comes from a Hebrew word,
_Mahuran_, which signifies Western.

[3] It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader that these _Children
of the Desert_ are supposed to be the lineal descendants of Ishmael,
the wandering, outcast son of the patriarch Abraham and the much-abused
Hagar.--_Translator_.

[4] The primitive name of the Arabs, from _Nabathaea_, an appellation
for their country which is probably derived from _Nabath_, the son of
Ishmael. The capital city of Nabathaea was that _Petra_, of whose
present appearance and condition our eminent countryman, Stephens, has
given his readers so graphic a sketch in his "Travels,"
&c.--_Translator_.

[5] A.D. 569.

[6] The Coheshirites, the guardians of the Temple of the Caaba at Mecca.

[7] See Note A, page 203.

[8] See Note B, page 206.

[9] See note C, page 207.

[10] See note D, page 208.

[11] See Note E, page 308.

[12] Ambeza, Azra, Jahiah, Osman, Hazifa, Hacchem, and Mohammed.

[13] It was in this battle that Charles acquired the title of _Martel_,
or the _Hammer_.

[14] Abdoulmelek and Akbe.

[15] Aboulattar and Tevaba.

{45}

SECOND EPOCH.

THE KINGS OF CORDOVA BECOME THE CALIPHS OF THE WEST.

_Extending from the middle of the Eighth to the commencement of the
Eleventh Century._

We have seen that, under their first three caliphs, Abubeker, Omar, and
Othman, the Arabian conquerors of Syria, Persia, and Africa preserved
their ancient manners, their simplicity of character, their obedience to
the successors of the Prophet, and their contempt for luxury and wealth:
but what people could continue to withstand the influence of such an
accumulation of prosperity? These resistless conquerors turned their
weapons against each other: they forgot the virtues which had rendered
them invincible, and assisted by their dissensions i