Aleppo to replace him. Unfortunately, in September an epidemic of bubonic plague broke out in Baghdad and quickly spread throughout the Arabian peninsula, provoking widespread chaos and a complete collapse of law and order. Major Taylor evacuated his family and staff to Basra, while Baghdad was largely deserted by its population and became ‘a city of the dead.’ Matters grew worse when the waters of the Tigris flooded and washed away whole buildings, including part of Valy’s palace. His cherished broodmares were left unattended to wander through the streets and gallop off into the desert. Ali Ridha Pasha was unable to maintain control of his army or defend the city against the hoards of starving Bedouin marauders that camped outside the city’s gates, waiting to intercept
176 | AR ABIAN HORSE TIMES
Unfortunately, in September an epidemic of bubonic plague broke out in Baghdad and quickly spread throughout the Arabian peninsula, provoking widespread chaos and a complete collapse of law and order.