For though the number of the slain
and the calamities of the besieged were greater when it was taken by the
Romans, yet the servitude of those that survived was nothing comparable
to this, either in respect of the circumstances or the duration. For
however it might seem to be utterly ruined and destroyed by Titus, yet
by Hadrian's time it had greatly recovered itself. Now it fell, as it
were, once for all, into the hands of the most mortal enemies of the
Christian religion, and has continued so ever since, with the exception
of a brief interval of about ninety years, during which it was held by
the Christians in the holy war.
The Christians having submitted on these terms, Omar gave them the
following writing under his hand:
"In the name of the most merciful God.
"From Omar Ebn Al Khattab, to the inhabitants of AElia. They shall
be protected and secured both in their lives and fortunes, and
their churches shall neither be pulled down nor made use of by any
but themselves."
Upon this the gates were immediately opened, and the Caliph and those
that were with him marched in.
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