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Thread: [TW Guide] MTW: The Almohads

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    Default [TW Guide] MTW: The Almohads



    Author: Siblesz
    Original Thread: Not Available

    MTW: The Almohads
    Almohads

    Muslim Berber movement that developed into the leading political power in North Africa and Spain in the 12th and 13th century. Their teachings were based upon Ibn Tumart's interpretation of Islam, and their success was not only a result of their own power, as much as it was the downfall of the preceding Almoravid empire.
    The central core of the Almohad movement – it could be called a rebellion against the Almoravids, actually – was the opposition against the position of the leaders of Almoravids as jurists. While large parts of their theology was rather unclear, one principle stood out: Tawhid, the uniqueness of God.
    All through their 122 years of forming an empire, the Almohads were based upon a ruling elite, coming from the Masmuda tribe. This elite came from the founders of the Almohads, and continued by their decendants. However, the puritanical ideas of the founder Ibn Toumart, did not last long. Already his successor, Abdu l-Mu'min excelled in building expensive palaces and monuments, rich on ornamentation. Famous Moroccan structures, like the Kutubiyya mosque in Marrakech and the old mosque in Taza are from his period in power.
    The Almohad crusade to purify Islam did not succeed as it was intended. Traditional Islam as Ibn Tumard perceived it, was equally dilluted by mystical movements of Sufism as well as the philosophical schools of Ibn Tufayl and Averröes as before.


    Timeline

    1117: Ibn Tumart returns to Morocco after performing hajj. He calls for a return to the principles of Islam: the Koran and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad.
    1121: Ibn Tumart declares himself Mahdi.
    1122: Ibn Tumert flees Marrakech, as he realizes that his life is in danger.
    1124: A small Berber state grows up around the village of Tin Mal in the High Atlas Mountains (centre of what is today's Morocco ), where Ibn Tumert has installed himself.
    1130: Ibn Tumert dies, and is succeeded by Abdu l-Mu'min.
    1147: The Almohad leader Abdu l-Mu'min conquers Marrakech, and brings and end to Almoravid rule. Now, the Almohads suddenly found themselves in control over northwestern Maghreb, but Spain was still outside their control.
    1154: al-Mu'min secures control over southern Spain and Portugal .
    1172: The Almohad caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf forces Sevilla to surrender. Following this, more Spanish Muslim states are forced under Almohad control.
    1212: With the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, the Almohad forces are seriously defeated by a Christian coalition from Leon, Navarra and Aragon. With this, the Almohads were forced back to Africa .
    1236: Tunis is lost to the Hafsids.
    1239: Tlemcen is lost to Abdu l-Wadid.
    1269: The last Almohad stronghold, Marrakech, is conquered by the Merenids. This was the end of the Almohad empire.



    Strategies for Almohads

    The Almohads in Medieval: Total War are a rather easy civilization. They stretch from Cyrencia to Cordoba. The Almohads as well as the Egyptians and Turks, have something that European factions do not, very unique units that can match if not destroy European units. The Almohad Civilization has many different units that can easily destroy European units of early and high ages.

    The backbone of the Almohad army is the Almohad Urban Militia. This unit can take out cavalry, and infantry all together. A good strategy for this unit would be to put them in tight formation. This unit has both good defense and good attack, use them wisely. A bunch of arbalesters can easily break this unit apart and make them run as hell. The Almohads also have a unit that can be very dangerous if used wisely. This unit is called the Berber Camels. The Berber Camels are hardy desert warriors and are at their best when used as light cavalry archers to disrupt enemies. They are capable in hand-to-hand combat against similar light cavalry, and their camels are an advantage as many horses are unwilling to get too close because of their smell. The Berber camels can dismount before battles, and although they have a weak attack and defense they are good against light cavalry, and can be used as horse archers like skirmishers. The last unique unit that only the Almohads have is the Murabitin. The tough Murabitin are recruited from the desolate Almohad provinces along the Northern African Coast. Armed with javelins, they are good for harassing enemy formations and can cause a surprising number of casualties. Their other arm is only sufficient for self defense, so they are best used as skirmishers. The murabitin are very good for penetrating armor, and are fast. Their only disadvantage is their close range. Use these guys as skirmishers or they will not work well. The Almohads of course have many of the desert units that other Arab nations have.

    That concludes the unit section for the Almohads. Now, I will talk about the full campaign for the Almohads. The Almohads are a fairly easy civilization to play, but the only thing you have to worry about is how to get the Spanish off your backs later in the game. I suggest that you rapidly take over the Spanish and the whole Iberian peninsula early in the game until getting into France. Then stop to build up your empire by trade and commerce and start fortifying your empire for the 1200’s when the Crusades take place. Crusades are fatal against all Arab nations. They have to be dealt immediately. After the Crusade time is over you can now attack the other Arab nations, and start planning a major strike in France. France and Germany for me are the most difficult places to conquer, there are just too many nations and provinces involved in the two territories and it can be a major pain to hold off all the rebellions, especially if you’re Moslem and they are Catholics. Start converting the Western Europe with monks and try influencing your country with spies. After that, take over Asia , preferably stop until you reach to Constantinople, and Georgia, then focus on Europe . The last conquests of Europe can be very tricky. After the first couple of provinces invaded, it will seem like a piece of cake, but when the pope sends crusading armies against you, and your trade income is cut off, you’ll change your mind. You will probably loose all of your allies, and get attacked by everyone. You need a strong economy and army to beat the Europeans. Do NOT attack the Pope. Leave the Pope till later, because if you do conquer the Pope he will just pop out again with an army of 2,000 every 10 years. Focus on Eastern Europe after conquering France and Germany. After taking over easily defensible lands like Bulgaria and Khazar, you will be on your way to conquer Europe. GOOD LUCK!
    Last edited by Acco; May 15, 2009 at 02:34 PM.

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