Machine summary:
. In the poems of Abu Tammaro, the chief events described are, the battles and skirmishes against Babak, the powerful leader of the Khurra• mites, his capture and execution, the defeat of the Emperor Theophilus and the fall of Amorium; and also the raids on.
composed in praise of his patron;' Abu Sa'id, are Juli of allusions to and description of the battles fought against Babak, of raids carried into the Roman territory.
The chief themes on which Abu Tammaro harps are the victories won by the Caliph al-M'utasirn against the heretic Babak, and the Emperor · Theophilus.
Before Afshin left for Barzand,7 his headquarters, Abu Sa'id a general who distinguished himself in this expedition, was ordered by the Caliph to repair the forts between Zanjan and Ardabil,8 which had been destroyed by Babak and to establish military guards on the roads for the safe transport of the provisions that were sent.
H. Many smaller battles which took place during the two years' struggle, but are not mentioned by Tabarl, are alluded to by Abu Tammam in his poems, among them being the following : I.
· · Ever since his accession to the throne the Emperor had availed himself of every opportunity which offered itself to him for making a raid on the Caliph's territory, with the result that his own empire was invaded by the Saracen forces} Mamun,8 who was his chief enemy, cherished till death the hope of conquering the Roman domains.