OMAR I

From Agepedia

OMAR I, successor of Abubeker, and second caliph of the Mussulmans after Mohammed, also fatherinlaw of the prophet, began his reign A. D. 634, and is conspicuous among the conquerors who have desolated the face of the earth. His first expedition was against Damascus, capital of Syria; he drove the Greeks from this province and from PhoeniciaHe took Jerusalem in the year 636, after a difficult siege. He entered the city upon a camel, laden with two bags, one of which contained fruit and the other corn, which constituted all his provisions. A wooden platter was his only furniture; the earth was his seat. As the capitulation of Jerusalem was the model upon which the Mussulmans dictated many others, we will mention some of the chief articles. "The inhabitants shall retain their lives, their property, and their churches; but they shall build no new churches, nor place crosses upon those which they already have; they shall not ring the bells, but they are allowed to toll them. When a Mussulman travels through the city, they shall offer him hospitality for three days. They shall convert no one from Mohammedanism, nor shall they prevent their relations from embracing it. They shall use neither the language, nor the dress, nor the name of Mohammedans. They shall neither bear arms, nor sell wine; shall remain faithful to the caliph, and regularly pay their taxes." Omar's generals invaded Persia, defeated the army of Yezdegerd, and conquered the capital and kingdom. Amru, one of his generals, defeated the troops of the emperor Heraclius, near Antioch, in 638; Memphis and Alexandria surrendered; all Egypt and a part of Libya were conquered from the Romans. The story that the royal library at Alexandria was burnt by order of Omar, has been of late questioned, but the probabilities seem to be in favor of its truth. The Mussulmans pursued their conquests far into Africa, but Omar did not live long to enjoy his glory. In the year 643, at the age of 63, he was mortally wounded, with a knife, by a Persian slave. The nobles asked him to appoint a successor ; but he refused, and especially rejected, with earnestness, the proposition of naming his son. "It is enough," said he, " that one out of my family has been forced to bear this burden." The caliphate thus became elective. (See Caliph.) Mohammedanism has never had a more virtuous and zealous apostle ; he observed, strictly, all the precepts of the Koran, and was celebrated for his justice and clemency. He founded the city of Cairo, conquered 36,000 cities or castles, destroyed 4000 temples and churches, and built 1400 mosques. Omar is distinguished for having established the era of the Hegira. (q. v.) Mohammed had the highest esteem for Omar. He said that if God had wished to give another prophet to the world, his choice would have fallen upon Omar. He made nine times the pilgrimage to Mecca. OMBROMETER. (See RainGauge.)