Editing Abd al-Rahman I (section)

===Problems in the Upper March===
Zaragoza proved to be a most difficult city to reign over for not only Abd al-Rahman, but [[Emirs of Córdoba|his successors]] as well. In the year 777–778, several notable men including [[Sulayman al-Arabi|Sulayman ibn Yokdan al-Arabi al-Kelbi]],<ref>Ahmed ibn Muhammad al-Maqqari, ''The History of the Mohammedan Dynasties in Spain'', p. 85</ref> the self-appointed governor of Zaragoza, met with delegates of the leader of the Franks, [[Charlemagne]]. "[Charlemagne's] army was enlisted to help the Muslim governors of Barcelona and Zaragoza against the Umayyad [emir] in Cordoba...."<ref>Jo Ann Hoeppner Moran Cruz. ''Western Views of Islam in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Perception and Other''. Edited by David R. Blanks and Michael Frassetto. (New York, Saint Martin's Press, 1999), p. 56</ref> Essentially Charlemagne was being hired as a mercenary, even though he likely had other plans of acquiring the area for his own empire. After Charlemagne's columns arrived at the gates of Zaragoza, Sulayman got cold feet and refused to let the Franks into the city, after his subordinate, [[Husayn of Zaragoza|al-Husayn ibn Yahiya]], had successfully defeated and captured Abd al-Rahman's most trusted general, Thalaba Ibn Ubayd.<ref>"Historia de Espnña antigua y media", Vols. 1 & 23; Luis Suárez Fernández, 1976;  {{ISBN|9788432118821}}</ref> It is possible that he realized that Charlemagne would want to usurp power from him. After capturing Sulayman, Charlemagne's force eventually headed back to France via a narrow pass in the [[Pyrenees]], where his rearguard was wiped out by [[Basque people|Basque]] and [[Duchy of Vasconia|Gascon]] rebels (this disaster inspired the epic [[Chanson de Roland]]).<ref>Philip K. Hitti. ''Makers of Arab History''. (New York. St Martin’s Press), 1968. p. 68</ref> Charlemagne was also attacked by Sulayman's relatives, who had freed Sulayman.
[[File:Grandes chroniques Roland.jpg|thumb|An illustration of [[The Song of Roland]] from the [[Grandes Chroniques de France]], A romanticization of [[Battle of Roncevaux Pass]].]]
Now Abd al-Rahman could deal with Sulayman and the city of Zaragoza without having to fight a massive Christian army. In 779 Abd al-Rahman offered Husayn, one of Sulayman's allies, the job of Zaragoza's governorship. The temptation was too much for al-Husayn, who murdered his colleague Sulayman. As promised, al-Husayn was awarded Zaragoza with the expectation that he would always be a subordinate of Córdoba. However, within two years al-Husayn broke off relations with Abd al-Rahman and announced that Zaragoza would be an independent city-state. Once again Abd al-Rahman had to be concerned with developments in the Upper March. He was intent on keeping this important northern border city within the Umayyad fold. By 783 Abd al-Rahman's army advanced on Zaragoza. It appeared as though Abd al-Rahman wanted to make clear to this troublesome city that independence was out of the question. Included in the arsenal of Abd al-Rahman's army were thirty-six [[siege engine]]s.<ref>José Luis Corral Lafuente. ''Historia de Zaragoza: Zaragoza Musulmana''. (Zaragoza; Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza, 1998), p. 14</ref> Zaragoza's famous white granite [[defensive wall]]s were breached under a torrent of ordnance from the Umayyad lines. Abd al-Rahman's warriors spilled into the city's streets, quickly thwarting al-Husayn's desires for independence.