SALIH

in ancient Arabia, a Christian tribe that was prominent during the 5th century AD. Although the Salih originated in southern Arabia, they began moving northward about AD 400, finally settling in the area southeast of Damascus. According to tradition, the Salih were the first Arabs to found a kingdom in Syria. The Salih kings, who were recognized by the Byzantine emperors, managed to control the area until the end of the 5th century, when a poll-tax dispute resulted in extended wars between the Salih and the Ghassanids, a tribe from western Arabia. Although the Ghassanids finally gained control and established themselves as rulers of the Syrian Arabs, the Salih remained in Syria at least until about 635.