When we drove up to his palace, one of the stateliest in Marrakech, the street was thronged with clansmen and clients.

Abd-el-Aziz was defeated in a battle near Marrakech, and retired to Tangier, where he still lives in futile state.

He pieced together his broken empire, asserted his authority in Fez and Marrakech, and fought the rebellious tribes of the west.

Whoever would understand Marrakech must begin by mounting at sunset to the roof of the Bahia.

A long way ahead loomed the line of the Djebilets, the Djinn-haunted mountains guarding Marrakech on the north.