The city was at once summoned to take its option--conversion, tribute, or the sword.

In his palace at Antioch, barely one hundred and fifty miles still farther north, the Emperor Heraclius received tidings of the alarming advance of his assailants.

He at once dispatched an army of seventy thousand men.

The Saracens were compelled to raise the siege.

A battle took place in the plains of Aiznadin, the Roman army was overthrown and dispersed.