This intelligence obliged Muhammed el-Ikshid to return at once to Syria.  He encountered the advance-guard of the enemy and promptly led the attack; his right wing was scattered, but the centre, commanded by himself, remained firm, and Muhammed ibn Raik retreated towards Damascus.  Husain, brother of el-Ikshid, lost his life in the combat.  Despite the enmity between them, Muhammed ibn Raik sent his own son to el-Ikshid, charged with messages of condolence for the loss he had sustained and bearing proposals of peace.  Muhammed el-Ikshid received the son of his enemy with much respect, and invested him with a mantle of honour.  He then consented to cede Damascus, in consideration of an annual tribute of 140,000 pieces of gold, and the restoration of all that portion of Palestine between Ramleh and the frontiers of Egypt.  After having concluded all the arrangements relative to this treaty, Muhammed el-Ikshid returned to Egypt in the year 329 of the Hegira.

[Illustration:  365.jpg COIN OF ABU BEKR.]

The Caliph Rahdi died in the same year (940 a. d.).  He was thirty years of age, and had reigned six years, ten months, and ten days.  His brother, Abu Ishak Ibrahim, succeeded him, and was henceforth known by the name of Muttaki.  A year later Muhammed el-Ikshid was acknowledged Prince of Egypt by the new caliph.  Shortly after, he learnt that his former enemy, Muhammed ibn Raik had been killed by the Hamdanites; he thereupon seized the opportunity to recover those provinces he had granted him, and, marching into Syria, captured Damascus and all the possessions he had relinquished upon the conclusion of their treaty.  Feeling now that his position was secure, he caused his son Kasim to be recognised by the emirs and the entire army as his successor.

The year 332 of the Hegira was a disastrous one in Baghdad.  The office of Prince of Princes, bestowed according to the caprice of the Turkish officers upon any of their leaders, was now become a position superior even to that of caliph.  It was held at this time by a Turk named Turun, who so oppressed the caliph Muttaki that the latter was forced to fly from his capital and retire to Mosul.  He then besought help from the Hamdanites, who immediately rallied their forces and, accompanied by the caliph, marched upon Baghdad.  They were, however, completely routed by Turun and obliged V to retreat.  Muttaki showed his gratitude to the two princes by conferring a mantle of honour upon them, which, for some time past, had been the only gift that Islam sovereigns had been able to bestow.

Leaving Mosul, the caliph proceeded to Rakkah, and there was invited by Turun to return to Baghdad.  Seeing that his adherents, the Hamdanites, were greatly discouraged by their recent reverses, Muttaki resolved to accept the offer.  When Muhammed el-Ikshid heard this, he hastened to Rakkah and offered the caliph refuge in Egypt.  But the caliph refused, agreeing, however, as Muhammed el-Ikshid promised to