G9 who were at Homs (the ancient Emessa), retreated toward Yarmuk, where they would be in a better position for receiving reinforcements from home, and Mahan (or Manuel), the Greek general, followed them in hot pursuit. At first their progress was opposed by the Christian Arabs, under Jebaleh ibn Aihdm; but this chief was defeated with little loss to the Muslims, although some men of note, and amongst them Yezid ibn Abi Sufiyan were taken prisoners. Abu 'Obeidah now sent a message to the caliph, urging him to send them immediate reinforcements, and another army of eight hundred men was quickly levied in Arabia, and sent to the relief of the Syrian generals. When Mahan's army reached Yarmuk some negotiations were opened between the Greeks and Christians. Khalid, who acted as parlementaire on the occasion, succeeded in obtaining the release of the prisoners ; but, as they were unable to come to terms, both sides began to prepare for the battle which was to determine the fate of Syria. For several days the fighting continued with fluctuating fortune, but at last an incident happened which decided the contest in favour of the Mohammedans. A native of Homs who happened to be staying in the neighbourhood of Yarmuk, had hospitably entertained some of the Grecian officers; this kindness they requited by the violation of his wife and the murder of his infant son. Maddened by his wrongs, and unable to obtain redress from the Greek general, he went over to the Mohammedans, and, having betrayed the Christians into an ambuscade near the ford of the river, they were attacked and completely routed by their enemies ; more than forty thousand men perishing by the sword or being whirled away by the resistless stream and drowned. Thus the same licentious barbarity and corruption which, more than Arab prowess, had contributed to the success of the Muslim arms at the outset of the war, ultimately resulted in the entire overthrow of the Christian power in the East.