Note 4 — Chapter VII

The moon acts a conspicuous part in the prestigious exhibitions of magicians. There appeared during the reign of Muhammed Mahadi, the third khalif of the Abbasides, from the year of the Hejira 158 to 169 (A. D. 774-785), in the town of Nekhshab, in Khorassan, an impostor, called Hakem ben Hasham, whose surname was Sazindah mah, “moon-maker.” Having but one eye, he used to hide his deformity under a silver veil, or mask, whence he was called al Mokanna, “covered by a veil.” So concealed, he pretended nobody could bear the effulgence of his face, like that of God himself. At the head of a numerous party, he was not without difficulty reduced by the ruling Khalif. Hakem’s particular mode of suicide will be adverted to in a note at the end of chapter VIII.