reportwasdexterouslyscattered，thattheFranks，theunknownnationsoftheLatinworld，werearmingbyseaandlandinthedefenceoftheChristiancause，andtheirformidableaidwasexpectedwithfardifferentsensationsinthecampandcity。Atlength，afterasiegeofthirteenmonths，^14thehopelessMoslemahreceivedfromthecaliphthewelcomepermissionofretreat。ThemarchoftheArabiancavalryovertheHellespontandthroughtheprovincesofAsia，wasexecutedwithoutdelayormolestation；butanarmyoftheirbrethrenhadbeencutinpiecesonthesideofBithynia，andtheremainsofthefleetweresorepeatedlydamagedbytempestandfire，thatonlyfivegalleysenteredtheportofAlexandriatorelatethetaleoftheirvariousandalmostincredibledisasters。^15
[Footnote11:InthedivisionoftheThemes，orprovincesdescribedbyConstantinePorphyrogenitus，deThematibus，l。i。
p。9，10，theObsequium，aLatinappellationofthearmyandpalace，wasthefourthinthepublicorder。Nicewasthemetropolis，anditsjurisdictionextendedfromtheHellespontovertheadjacentpartsofBithyniaandPhrygia，seethetwomapsprefixedbyDelisletotheImperiumOrientaleofBanduri。]
[Footnote*:Comparepage274。ItissingularthatGibbonshouldthuscontradicthimselfinafewpages。Byhisownaccountthiswasthesecondtime。—M。]
[Footnote!:TheaccountofthissiegeintheTarikhTebryisaveryunfavorablespecimenofAsiatichistory，fullofabsurdfables，andwrittenwithtotalignoranceofthecircumstancesoftimeandplace。Price，vol。i。p。498—M。]