Islamic Warfare661 - 1258

Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)

Chipping away at Byzantine Empire Emphasized Archery (Shower Shooting) The use of camel herds as barriers Creation of cavalry (captured armor and horses) Use of all types of peoples, ex-Roman soldiers,

Christians. As territory is taken, those people join. Abbasids oppose secular views and remove Umayyad in

750.

Mamluk Dynasty 1250-1517AD

Mamluks were backbone of Ayyubid Dynasty. Fighting Crusaders and other opposition. Consolidated power in Egypt. Gave lower-class aristocratic positions.

Tactics

Usually fighting technologically superior knights. Guerilla style warfare Minimize the use of horse for knights by choosing soft, or

sandy ground. Heavy use of archers.

Arms and Armor

Armor itself was lighter, less extensive. Speed over protection. Hot climate. Mostly using mail shirts. Outdated in Europe. Plates for vambraces, greaves and helmets. Later there were plates woven together with mail.

Continued

Helmets had a distinct conical shape. Looks somewhat similar to the roof of a mosque. Shields were made almost entirely out of metal.

Weapons

Scimitar Javelins Battle Axe Mace Recurve Bow

Decoration and Symbolism

Weapons and armor were decorated using floral or animal designs.

Use of Islamic text or calligraphy.