Note 224 — JA’AFAR THE BARMECIDE AND THE BEAN-SELLER.

There are many accounts of his death; but it is generally held that he was first beheaded. The story in the text is also variously told and the Persian “Nigáristán” adds some unpleasant comments upon the House of Abbas. The Persians, for reasons which will be explained in the terminal Essay, show the greatest sympathy with the Barmecides; and abominate the Abbasides even more than the latter detested the Ommiades.