DBA Armies

II/62 ABYSSINIAN & HORN-OF-AFRICA 100 AD - 1529 AD

This list covers Christian Ethiopian and pagan or Muslim Horn-of-Africa armies from the foundation of the Ethiopian Axumite empire until the conquest of Gran the left-handed. Little armour was worn except helmets. Spears were short and accompanied by javelins, short swords and large round hide shields. Axumite generals sometimes rode elephants and supported the tribal levies (Wb) with a core of professional sarawit swordsmen, usually using a long straight cutting sword, but a few replacing it with an enormous sickle-shaped “shotel” intended to hook over an opponent’s shield or a “dembus”, described as an iron mace, staff or club. Camels (LCm) were used for scouting. Cavalry increased with time, most being Shara or Galla tribesmen riding scrubby ponies and armed with short spear and javelins. Their few shields were greatly prized and decorated with silver or a lion’s mane. References: Slingshots 131,132,139 & 140.

II/62a — Abyssinian or Horn-of-Africa Army 100 AD - 1284 AD

List: 1 x General (LH or if Axumite El), 1 x sarawit (3Bd) if Axumite or tribal levies (3WD) if not, 1 x light horse (LH or LCm) or tribal levies (3WDb), 6 x tribal levies (3Wb), 2 x archers (3Bw or Ps), 1 x javelinmen (Ps)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 3
Enemies:
Allies: (II/23a and/or II/23c) or (I/58 and/or II/55b)

II/62b — Abyssinian or Horn-of-Africa Army 1285 AD - 1529 AD

List: 1 x General (LH), 2 x light horse (LH), 2 x light horse (LH) or scouting camelry (LCm), 4 x tribal levies (3Wb), 2 x archers (3Bw), 1 x javelinmen (Ps)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 1
Enemies: