His conduct shows to what a deplorable condition the population of Syria had come.
After the surrender, in a speech he made to the people he had betrayed, he said: "I renounce your society, both in this world and that to come.
And I deny him that was crucified, and whosoever worships him.

And I choose God for my Lord, Islam for my faith, Mecca for my temple, the Moslems for my brethren, Mohammed for my prophet, who was sent to lead us in the right way, and to exalt the true religion in spite of those who join partners with God." Since the Persian invasion, Asia Minor, Syria, and even Palestine, were full of traitors and apostates, ready to join the Saracens.

Romanus was but one of many thousands who had fallen into disbelief through the victories of the Persians.
FALL OF DAMASCUS.

From Bozrah it was only seventy miles northward to Damascus, the capital of Syria.

Thither, without delay, the Saracen army marched.