The Age of al-Andalus (Age of the Andulus 2.0)

[XanXar]

Bump!
/Filter

[MNP]

Pepin likely is still around, or at least a Pepin analogue so you need to figure out that first unless you already have plans regarding Martel's successor.

[XanXar]

Originally Posted by MNP

Pepin likely is still around, or at least a Pepin analogue so you need to figure out that first unless you already have plans regarding Martel's successor.

Didn't Martel only come to prominence after the Battle of Tours?

[MNP]

Originally Posted by XanXar

Didn't Martel only come to prominence after the Battle of Tours?

No. The only reason Martel could fight the battle of Tours at all was because he was already so prominent. He became Mayor of the Palace (of Austrasia) in 715 and decisively consolidated his immediate position after Vincy and Soissons in 718. He was strong enough to pick the successor to Chilperic II in 720 so I think that's about as late as you can possibly say he's not prominent. Maybe you can kill him at Cologne (715 or 716) if you want him gone.

[XanXar]

Originally Posted by MNP

No. The only reason Martel could fight the battle of Tours at all was because he was already so prominent. He became Mayor of the Palace (of Austrasia) in 715 and decisively consolidated his immediate position after Vincy and Soissons in 718. He was strong enough to pick the successor to Chilperic II in 720 so I think that's about as late as you can possibly say he's not prominent. Maybe you can kill him at Cologne (715 or 716) if you want him gone.

Alright then, thanks. Its not that I want to kill him off, I just wanted to know the butterflies that are going to effect France. What effects France at this point influences pretty much all of western Europe.

[XanXar]

Any other suggestions regarding Europe?

[MNP]

Originally Posted by XanXar

Any other suggestions regarding Europe?

As you update more and we see how the changes shake out, it'll be easier to think up possible wider ramifications.

I will say that if you somehow were to depower the Frankish Empire, you might retard eastern state formation.

[XanXar]

Bump yet again.

[eliphas8]

Originally Posted by XanXar

Bump yet again.

How long do you think until you'll be posting the next update? I really liked the first and I still like the second.

[MNP]

Originally Posted by XanXar

Bump yet again.

It's not wrong to bump, but the more bumps and less updates the more interest will flag.

[XanXar]

Originally Posted by MNP

It's not wrong to bump, but the more bumps and less updates the more interest will flag.

The next update will be today, just wanted it to be on the Front Page.

[XanXar]

The Tale of Ibn al-Muhallab (part one)


Yazid ibn al-Muhallab, one of the most infamous men in Islamic history. We have all heard tales of cruelty and Battles with the Umayyad Caliphate, and yet again we have another retelling of the famous story. Yazid was a governer of several areas in the Caliphate, including Khorasan and Iraq.

Where ever he went, trouble and controversey soon followed. From being imprisoned and tortured by al-Hajjaj, to his own ferocious acts against the Turks and Sogds. The man was great friends with Caliph Suleymen ibn Abd al-Malik, and was greatly saddened him, and it was this death that would lead to his fateful relationship with Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz.

Umar dismissed the Governer, most likely because of his cruelties. However, Yazid was a stubborn man. He would lead an army of men to Basra, to fight against the Caliph. This is the famous story.

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The busy markets streets, the arrriving boats at the docks, a typical scene at Basra. Little did they know what was to become of them. Basra was famous as a port city, later being the home of the mythical folk hero Sinbad. It was here that Ibn al-Muhallab would lead his army.

The men marched through the hills, lead by the Charasmatic Yazid. ''Alright men, today we march to victory!''. His shouting was responded by a positive roar. Yazid was completely full of himself, he believed his men loved him, but what he considered love was nothing more than fear. Ibn al-Muhallab believed he had calculated himself perfectly, the army morale was at an all time low from the siege of Constantinople and whatever was left after that was being thrown at the Emirate of Ishbylia.

But on the other side of the city another army was preparing itself, led by Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz. Considered one of the greatest Caliphs ever to have lived, even by the Shi'ite sect, Caliph Umar was a great man. He was to make great Social and Military reforms, and this battle is considered the sole blip on an otherwise spotless record.
''Men, I want this man ALIVE, not dead. May Allah punish any of you who dare kill Ibn al-Muhallab''. His warriors looked with an approving nod. Although he was short of good men, his force still greatly outnumbered that of his counterpart. The men on their horses had arrived at the city gates, along with their counter parts led by Yazid.

The battle became bloody very quickly. Civilians rushed as fast as they could to safety. Both leaders eyes met from across the city streets. Yazid was not the greatest of commanders, and his men were falling fast. Ibn al-Muhallab knew he was soon going to be captured. The Governer instead of sitting around like lame ducks charged his men to retreat before there were any more casualties.

Ibn al-Muhallab had escaped the clutches of the Caliph, and had lived to fight another day.

[XanXar]

Bump/filter

[XanXar]

Extract from The rise of Al-Andalus: Ten killer apps of the East (Ali Al-Kurdobi, 1427)

Chapter Two: Killer App#2: The Vassalic System.


When referring to Al-Andalus's rise to the top, one must not forget one of their earliest innovative ideas, the Vassalic system. Though being attributed to the Andalusians, the system pre-dated Emir Abd al-Aziz, being first used by the the Emirates predessecers, the Visigoths. Also the system is also considered to be the inspiration for feudalism, a later western system with a similar premise.Though it originates in Pre-Islamic Andalusia, we will only be discussing its use in Islamic Andalusia.

Emir Abd al-Aziz revived the system, for very specific reasons. With the majority of his Arab brethren supporting his enemies, the Umayyad Caliphate, he would have to find another way to build an army. He was brought to attention of the Vassalic system by his Muladi companion, Qumi Cassius, so the legend goes. With his adoption of the system he managed to raise himself an army from the Christian nobility. With this, the men of Ishbylia won the fabled battle of Murcia.

The system was an ingenius idea, bringing together both Christian and Muslim nobility together, with the Christians keeping their former titles, and the Muslims adopting the title Rasul*. The system was used to its best by the later emirs, such as Assim and Abd al-Malik I.

All in all another killer app that the west lacked. finally when the West did adopt such a system, it was based on birth right, similar to the Hindu Caste system (Something that the Muslims of the Mashriq would learn the hard way in a few centuries).

• * Meaning Envoy or Messenger in Arabic, equivelent of European ''Duke''.

[MNP]

Hmm, well now I'm interested to know more about the nuts and bolts of the system. Looking forward to what comes next, but how about a map?

[XanXar]

Originally Posted by MNP

Hmm, well now I'm interested to know more about the nuts and bolts of the system. Looking forward to what comes next, but how about a map?

A map will come soon, but a bit of a delay because of a mix up involving the map maker (LSCatilina).

[XanXar]

As requested, the map. (Though this only an earlier draft, the proper map will come later).

Map of Iberia, 717, before Battle of Murcia.


P.s Thanks to LSCatilina for making the map.

[XanXar]

I'm thinking of making an update about the siege of Constantinople. I know there must be some Byzantophiles among my readers, and if you have any suggestions please PM me.

[XanXar]

Yet again I'm away from my own computer for a few days, so probably no update till Friday.

[XanXar]

Age of Al-Andalus

The Story of Prince Assim.

Prince Assim, son of Emir Abd al-Aziz and his wife Umm'Assim. The prince was always a curious child, always venturing around the city streets, much to the stress of his parents. Assim in many ways was just like his Grandfather, Musa ibn Nusayr, both were explorers and loved the idea of conquest. Assim would often create his own Crown, based on the Visigothic royalty. When his father would see these crowns, he would often destroy them, reminding him that they are the Christians, this would always make Assim mad.

One day, Assim yet again wanted to explore the city of Ishbylia. But he was under the care of his Nubian slave, Ishaq. ''Ishaq, I wanted you to come down here!''. The prince was in his chambers, inside the Ishbylia Palace, that was to be sadly destroyed in The Andalusian civil war as we all know. The slave arrived in the princes chamber, he trudged along slowly, there was a clear pain in his foot. ''What is it, my lord?''. He said with a slight bitterness in his tone. Around the room could be seen gold coins and Arabic caligraphy spread around the whole room. ''I want to see the city, now!''. Ishaq was given to Assim as a present from some noble when he was born, Ishaq was much more of a father to him then Abd al-Aziz was. ''We can't. We're under strict conditions from your father''. Prince Assim began to look infuriated, and cleared his voice and bellowed. ''And why not?''.

''If you get kidnapped or killed, what happens to Ishbylia? You are your parents only son. If you die then all those crowns you made are going to be useless''.

Suddenly, all the anger left Assim's face, and was replaced by a neutral expression. ''I guess your right....speaking of my crowns, I made a new one, do you want to see?''.

''As you wish, my lord''. The two walked to where Assim was hiding his crowns, and as they walked Ishaq towered over Assim, his shadow looming over him. Assim picked up his new crown, lifting it up in pride. ''It's really good, my lord. But you know how your father feels about his sort of thing''. Panic started sieve through the young Prince quickly grabbing his prized crown. ''You're not going to tell my father, are you?''. Nassim looked with a nervous expression, but as he did, Ishaq cracked a smile for the first time. ''Of course not, these things are the only things that keep you happy. Plus, if the Emir punishes you, he punishes me as well''. The two both smiled and began laughing.

These sort of experiences were to shape the rule of the future Emir, especially how he styled his rulership.....