After this victory, which was styled the Day of the Camel, Ali marched against a more formidable adversary; against Moawiyah, the son of Abu Sophian, who had assumed the title of caliph, and whose claim was supported by the forces of Syria and the interest of the house of Ommiyah.

From the passage of Thapsacus, the plain of Siffin extends along the western bank of the Euphrates.

On this spacious and level theatre, the two competitors waged a desultory war of one hundred and ten days.

In the course of ninety actions or skirmishes, the loss of Ali was estimated at twenty-five, that of Moawiyah at forty-five, thousand soldiers; and the list of the slain was dignified with the names of five-and-twenty veterans who had fought at Beder under the standard of Mahomet.

In this sanguinary contest the lawful caliph displayed a superior character of valor and humanity.