Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf vs Cimon

Caliph Abd al-Malik appointed Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf as governor of Iraq. He was tasked with restoring order after years of rebellion and instability. His appointment marked the beginning of a harsh and effective administration.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf commissioned the introduction of diacritical marks (dots) to the Arabic script to standardize the reading of the Quran and prevent mispronunciation. This reform had a lasting impact on Arabic writing and Islamic scholarship.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf led Umayyad forces to a decisive victory over the rebel army of Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Ash'ath at Dayr al-Jamajim in Iraq. The victory crushed a major rebellion and solidified Umayyad control over Iraq and the eastern provinces.

Cimon captured the Persian-held fortress of Eion on the Strymon River in Thrace. The victory secured Athenian control over the region and opened up trade routes. It was one of the first major successes of the Delian League under Cimon's command.

Cimon led the Delian League fleet to a double victory over the Persians at the Eurymedon River in Pamphylia. He destroyed a Persian fleet and then defeated a land army on the same day, securing Greek control over the eastern Mediterranean.

Cimon was ostracized from Athens for ten years due to political opposition from the democratic faction led by Ephialtes and Pericles. His pro-Spartan policies and the failure of his expedition to help Sparta during the helot revolt contributed to his exile.

Cimon was recalled from exile and led a Delian League expedition to Cyprus. He won a naval and land victory at Salamis in Cyprus against the Persians. However, he died during the siege of Citium, ending the campaign.