The mobility of the Arab armies in the early conquests

Abstract

(This work deals with the Arab conquest from 622 A.D. to 656 A.D, with particular reference to Mobility, and is based mainly on Arabic sources such as Tabari, Baladhuri, Waqidi, Ibn Hisham, Ya'qubi and Abd al-Hakam. It is divided into six chapters. Chapter I is introductory and outlines conditions in Arabia and in the Persian and Byzantine Empires on the eve of the conquests. Chapter II is a brief regional geography of the regions conquered in the first invasions, Chapter III is a discussion on the camel: its main characteristics; the historical and geographical spread of camel-culture. Chapter IV is a summary of the history of the early conquests. Chapter V is a survey of Arab military affairs and covers many aspects of this subject including: conditions of service; weapons; numerical strengths; troop formations; command; tactics; static warfare; deception; the Arab woman in battle; provisioning; care of wounded; treatment of the slain and of prisoners; booty; the origin, planning and direction of the conquests; administration of the conquered lands; pensions; Muslim morale. Chapter VI deals with Mobility and is divided into two sections. Section I is devoted to a discussion of the use of the camel and the horse in the daily life of the Arabs. Section II considers the use made by the Arabs of mobility as an instrument of war in the early conquests. A short Conclusion summarises the advantages and disadvantages possessed by the Arabs when they began their wars of conquest. Superior mobility is assessed as one of the important assets.