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DYNASTIC KURDISH 950 AD - 1085 AD
After the collapse of Abbasid power, several Kurdish dynasties gained local power in northern Iraq and this list covers their armies. It ends with the conquest of the last Kurdish state by the Seljugs. Kurds were herdsmen migrating between summer and winter pastures. They relied on tribal cavalry said to fight mainly with the sword and to be more heavily armoured and ride heavier, slower horses than the Arabs. On the few occasions when foot are mentioned, they are almost always archers. Reference: Kurds and Kurdistan Safrastian.