Almoravids Ideas and Suggestions
The Almoravids are one of the factions I am not super confident about portraying but have a few sources that I will use to create a draft roster that I will revise as more information is attained.
Background
The Saharan Lamtuna tribe converted to Islam in the 9th century but it was not until 1040 when one of their chiefs, Yahya ibn Ibrahim returned from the pilgrimage to Mecca and began spreading a more strict adherence to the dictates of the Qur'an, which in turn led to a more disciplined military organisation built on a central core of infantry, armed with javelins and spears supported by camelmen and horsemen on the flanks.
From 1053, the (now named) Almoravids began to spread their religious way to the Berber areas of the Sahara and after winning over the Sanhaja Berber tribe, they quickly took control of the entire desert trade route. Under Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar the Almoravids began to spread their power beyond the desert, and subjected the tribes of the Atlas Mountains. After a political division and reunification, Yusuf ibn Tashfin brought what is now known as Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauretania into complete subjection and by 1062 his rule extended as far east as Oran.
In 1086 Yusuf ibn Tashfin was invited by the Taifa Andalusian Muslim princes of the Iberian Peninsula to defend them against Alfonso VI, King of the Feudal Castilian Leonese or Portuguese kingdom of Leon and Castile. Yusuf ibn Tashfin crossed the straits to Algeciras, inflicted a severe defeat on the Christians at the Battle of az-Zallaqah (Battle of Sagrajas) but was prevented from following up his victory by trouble at home in Africa, which he had to settle in person. When he returned to Iberia in 1090, it was to depose the Taifa Andalusian Muslim princes under the auspices of a fatwa to the effect that he had good moral and religious right to dethrone the rulers who were regarded as heterodox and overly sympathetic to the Christians. By 1094 the Berbers had conquered all the Taifal Andalusian states save for Zaragoza; and although they regained little from the Christians except Valencia, Spanish Muslim power was now under central control and this checked the reconquest of the country. Yusuf ibn Tashfin assumed the title of Amir al Muslimin ("Commander of the Muslims") but died in 1106. Almoravid power was at its height at Yusuf's death, and the Moorish empire then included all North-West Africa as far as Algiers, and all of Iberia south of the Tagus, with the east coast as far as the mouth of the Ebro, and included the Balearic Islands.
Inder Yusuf's son and successor, Ali ibn Yusuf Iberia was again invaded in 1119 and 1121, but the tide had turned, the French having assisted the Navarrese and Aragonese to recover Zaragoza. In 1138, Ali ibn Yusuf was defeated by Alfonso VII of Leon, and in the Battle of Ourique (1139). Lisbon was also recovered by the Portuguese in 1147 hastening the Almoravids steady decline. Between 1130 and 1163, Berber tribes from Morocco defeated the Almoravids in northern Africa. Moorish Iberia followed the fate of Africa and in 1170 the new rulers the Almohads transferred their capital to Seville.
Roster (Draft)
Black Guard – Current depiction is good, Royal Guard of Morocco credits the black guard as their ancestor to current guard. Potential to provide dismounted option as heavy spearmen/swordsman.
Abid al-shira– Either spearman or swordsman (african troops).
Berber Troops are all described as lighly armoured but fierce and zealous. Maybe have troops with high morale but low defense armour values?
Lamtunna infantry – Medium spearman The Lamtunna were described as "fanatical" in their religious zeal which would likely give them very good morale. Otherwise they seem to be described as not particular different from traditional Berber spearmen which were anything but heavy.
Berber Spearmen - stationary foot armed with spears and shields. Tactics described infantry with shields and "pikes" should be placed in the front ranks behind whom were archers (al-rajjala al-nashiba). When attacked, the infantry were ordered to kneel, hide behind their shields in tight solid ranks (saff mukham). They were required to hold their position until the enemy was in full retreat.
Berber Archer -
Berber Javelinmen – lightly armoured skirmishers mentioned.
Berber Swordsman? - Nasir-i Khusrau refers to a Berber tribe being armed with spears and swords.
Berber horse – Light horse, Ibn-Khaldun praises this unit skill and their success in carrying out the karr wa farr tactic.
Tuareg camelry – I’ve seen this unit mentioned a number of times unsure of their composition. De Bellis Multitudinis in their army list describes them as heavy irregulars.
Faris - there are some sources that refer to berbers and warriors of andulasia practising Furusiyya
Andalusian Spearmen/Archers – Current depiction appears to be fine.
Christian Guard – Probably could be extended, I was initially skeptical of how much Christian troops were used, but evidence* suggests they were extensively used both as regulars and mercenaries. Arguably the Almoravids could recruit most of the units from the Christian Iberian roster if in far smaller numbers.
*Direct Quote from The Christian presence in North Africa under Almoravids Rule (1040–1147 CE): Coexistence or eradication? Tarek Ladjal & John Caruana Cogent Arts & Humanities Vol. 4, Iss. 1, 2017 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...3.2017.1334374“The Christian presence and participation in the Almoravid military was substantially more active than their participation in its administration. It is fair to say that most of the benefits they received from the Almoravids were in return for their military services. The government had employed the Christians for the security and military sectors as well as for weapon-making and preserving ammunition. A number of them moved up the ranks and became brilliant leaders such as Reverter I de La Guardia (d. 1142) who was considered by Ibn Abbar as “one of the greatest and bravest of the Christian leaders” in the Almoravids army. His military glory was inherited by his son Ali bin Reverter (d. 1187) how converted to Islam and fought with the Almoravids till the last breath in their dynasty.
The Almoravids employed the Christian minority as royal guards for the first time in the history of the Maghreb. IbnʻIdhārīIdhāriī emphasizes that Ali was the first leader who opened the doors to the Christian in North al-Bayān al-Mughrib. which had a direct influence on the structure of the country. It is only natural for the Christians employed in sensitive military and strategic administrative positions to have an impact on the shape of the state and its institutions. Security units became more alert and racism decreased. It was only to be expected that Christian soldiers would be employed within the state machinery. They played an important role in suppressing all attempts to revolt against the system, due to the fact that the Christians were a minority and loyal to the government. They had no tribal allegiances or historical ties with any segment of the society. They would not tolerate any rebellion against the state, because the fall of the state meant their end. It is a well-known tactic in political systems to employ minorities in the military tasks and as personal guards as they were loyal to no other save their boss. This assisted in placing limits between the people and the government. Attempts to over throw the leadership of the country ended in failure. Although some consider the idea of royal security a Byzantine or Umayyad imitation, it is likely that the idea of employing Christian soldiers was particularly significant due to their loyalty and faithfulness.
The Christian soldiers helped in suppressing rebellions, especially in the Maghreb. Christian soldiers participated in holding back rebellious tribes by intimidating them. This could be concluded from al-Nuwairī who said when Ibn Tumart asked some of the tribes of the reasons for which they obey the Christian tax collectors: “What else can we do while we lack the power they have”.
The Christians not only participated in security services but also in the military industry. They helped in supporting the Almoravids army and introduced new fighting techniques dating from the Middle Ages, which was different from those of the Almoravids. Ibrāhīm Harakāt Khaldūn made an observation on this military phenomenon in the Maghreb during the Middle Ages saying: “The rulers of the Maghreb needed the support of Christian soldiers who were well trained in military service” . At the same time, they improved the manufacturing of weapons and ammunition and replaced camels with horses in conflicts . Weapons were also replaced with shields instead of bows. This led to a change in the balance of power during the Almoravids military confrontations with the rebellion Bedouin tribes.”
Originally Posted by WeekendGeneral
