DBA Armies

III/31 UMAYYAD ARAB 661 AD - 750 AD

This list covers the armies of the Arab Khalifate (which now included Syria, Egypt, most of North Africa and much of Persia) from the battle of Siffin that enabled Mu’awiya’s succession after the death of the Prophet’s son-in-law Ali until the final success of the Abbasid revolt. Mu’awiya (formerly the Prophet’s secretary) was the first of the secular khalifs and founded the Umayyad dynasty, with its capital at Damascus. His efforts to further expand focussed on the Byzantine empire, unsuccessfully besieging Constantinople 668-677. His commanders were more successful in the east, reaching both Kabul and the Indus. Jund were members of the conquest armies now settled in Syria in permanent military camps to prevent dilution by less warlike peoples. Their most prosperous members were mailed fencing lancers on unarmoured horses. From experience fighting Sassanid cavalry, foot now depended more on spears than on the long straight “saif” sword. Archers usually deployed in front and shot kneeling, protecting their heads with their shields. Only the least enterprising Arabs remained in the desert as bedouin and were regarded as poorly armed and unreliable. Asawira were resettled Persian gentry, used together with the fursan guard as a reserve on barded horses. Ghazis were religious fanatics. References: Armies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath, The Great Arab Conquests J.B Glubb, The Great Arab Conquests H. Kennedy, The Armies of the Caliphs H. Kennedy, In the Shadow of the Sword T. Holland.

III/31 — Umayyad Arab Army 661 AD - 750 AD

List: 1 x General with fursan guard (Cv), 3 x jund cavalry (Cv), 3 x spearmen (Sp), 3 x archers (3Bw or Ps), 1 x Asawira (Cv) or Bedouin (LH or LCm), 1 x Ghazis or Turkish horse archers (LH) or Dailami (4Ax) or Syrian hillmen (3Ax or Ps)
Terrain: Dry
Aggression: 3
Enemies:
Allies: II/57 or III/8 or III/15