History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6Gibbon, Edward
History
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6
Gibbon, Edward
Byzantine Empire -- History -- To 527; Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D.
35 (return) [ These interesting conversations appear to have been
copied by Arabshah (tom. i. c. 68, p. 625—645) from the cadhi and
historian Ebn Schounah, a principal actor. Yet how could he be
alive seventy-five years afterwards? (D’Herbelot, p. 792.)]
36 (return) [ The marches and occupations of Timour between the
Syrian and Ottoman wars are represented by Sherefeddin (l. v. c.
29—43) and Arabshah, (tom. ii. c. 15—18.)]
37 (return) [ This number of 800,000 was extracted by Arabshah,
or rather by Ebn Schounah, ex rationario Timuri, on the faith of
a Carizmian officer, (tom. i. c. 68, p. 617;) and it is
remarkable enough, that a Greek historian (Phranza, l. i. c. 29)
adds no more than 20,000 men. Poggius reckons 1,000,000; another
Latin contemporary (Chron. Tarvisianum, apud Muratori, tom. xix.
p. 800) 1,100,000; and the enormous sum of 1,600,000 is attested
by a German soldier, who was present at the battle of Angora,
(Leunclav. ad Chalcondyl. l. iii. p. 82.) Timour, in his
Institutions, has not deigned to calculate his troops, his
subjects, or his revenues.]
38 (return) [ A wide latitude of non-effectives was allowed by
the Great Mogul for his own pride and the benefit of his
officers. Bernier’s patron was Penge-Hazari, commander of 5000
horse; of which he maintained no more than 500, (Voyages, tom. i.
p. 288, 289.)]
During this diversion of the Mogul arms, Bajazet had two years to
collect his forces for a more serious encounter. They consisted
of four hundred thousand horse and foot, 39 whose merit and
fidelity were of an unequal complexion. We may discriminate the
Janizaries, who have been gradually raised to an establishment of
forty thousand men; a national cavalry, the Spahis of modern
times; twenty thousand cuirassiers of Europe, clad in black and
impenetrable armor; the troops of Anatolia, whose princes had
taken refuge in the camp of Timour, and a colony of Tartars, whom
he had driven from Kipzak, and to whom Bajazet had assigned a
settlement in the plains of Adrianople. The fearless confidence
of the sultan urged him to meet his antagonist; and, as if he had
chosen that spot for revenge, he displayed his banner near the
ruins of the unfortunate Suvas. In the mean while, Timour moved
from the Araxes through the countries of Armenia and Anatolia:
his boldness was secured by the wisest precautions; his speed was
guided by order and discipline; and the woods, the mountains, and
the rivers, were diligently explored by the flying squadrons, who
marked his road and preceded his standard. Firm in his plan of
fighting in the heart of the Ottoman kingdom, he avoided their
camp; dexterously inclined to the left; occupied Cæsarea;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account