City Defense Quotes
There are many who claim that the Prophet was the originator of the tactic of the Iraqis of fighting an insurgency war from within the cities. This quotation is citied. Many Iraqi insurgents believe that they are following the dictates of the Prophet.
He drove the British into the sea when no one expected that outcome.
This is a good example of how religious zeal has sometimes caused rulers to really do stupid things. Rather than try and negotiate a deal with the Sultan and pay an annual tribute or other such diplomatic solution as was common at the time, he was convinced that God would make sure that the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire—a holy city would not fall to the infidel and allow all the holy relics to fall into the hands of the heathen. In reality he would not fight for the inhabitants; he would force the inhabitants to fight for him and his view of the will of God. The message was taken by the young Sultan to be a personal challenge to him and to his God. See {634805} for his response to Constantine.
Pointing to the armed Spartan men He had been asked why there were no city walls around Sparta. See {632266} for a related quotation.
The picture is a modern artist’s rendition.
