Late Abbasid Caliphate AD 836 – AD 945

Draft list by Ulf Olsson

This list covers the army of the Abbasid Caliphs from Al-Mu’tasim moving the capital to Samarra until the final break up into competing successor states under various regional dynasties. Baghdad itself was occupied by the Buyids and the Caliph relegated to an almost entirely religious role.

There were several civil wars and campaigns to prevent rebellious provinces from breaking away. Campaigns against foreign enemies, especially the Byzantines, were also common.

The Abbasid state never quite managed to build stable government institutions and gradually lost its grip. Loss of effective control over large territories, corruption and large-scale rebellions hurt the state finances badly. To make matters even worse, the very productive agriculture in Iraq suffered a severe collapse with the destruction of the age-old irrigation system through civil war and simple neglect. Agriculture in the area has never recovered.

The Ghilman were very effective troops, but were expensive to maintain and acquired ever increasing political influence until they completely dominated their nominal masters in much the same way as the Praetorian Guard in Rome had done. Intrigue and factionalism among the generals and courtiers prevented reform, hobbled government policy-making and fostered corruption.

There was a period of recovery in the early 10th Century AD under forceful administrators and generals, but the improvements made were too dependent on personal leadership and the trend towards dissolution resumed once the forceful personalities were gone.

The all-too frequent rebellions seem to have been of two types. One type was aimed at regional autonomy from a distant central power that seemed increasingly feeble and irrelevant (Tulunids in Egypt, for example); the second type were rebellions based on social and/or religious issues, such as the Zanj and Qaramitah rebellions both of which took decades to suppress.

To raise troops and taxes, the central government was forced to grant extensive regional authority to various warlords, often Turk Ghilman generals or Bedouin tribal chiefs. These in turn often developed their regions into break-away states.

In the end, the central government did not really control anything, and the Abbasid state crumbled. The Abbasid Caliph still resided in Baghdad and carried great prestige, but the warlords of the various successor states had the political and military power.

An Abbasid army must state its theatre of operations. The following areas are available:

• Syria - This is the frontier with Byzantium. It is assumed to also include Armenia and eastern Turkey. There were several campaigns against the Byzantines and against the Tulunids. A major theatre of operations for the entire period. The Qaramitah rebellion also led to prolonged fighting in this area.
• Iraq - The centre of the Abbasid state. Previously peaceful and prosperous, it was by now a major theatre of operations during civil wars and during the final dissolution of the state. The very serious Zanj revolt in southern Iraq and the widespread Qaramitah revolt in the north caused severe disruption.
• Egypt - Also includes the Arabian peninsula. Egypt was periodically independent under the Tulunids. Not usually a major theatre of operations, it saw successful defensive campaigns against invading Fatimids in AD 915 and AD 923. Egypt finally broke away under the Iqshidids in AD 935.

Note: Khurasan was administered by local dynasties (Tahirids, Saffarids and Samanids) that were nominally loyal to the Caliph, but were independent in practice. The occassional Abbasid expeditions into Khurasan are covered by the Khurasanian army list.

For a list of sources used to compile this list, please see Early Islamic Sources.

Army List

Terrain in Syria and Iraq: Dry - Plains

Terrain in Egypt: Dry - Coastal

0-1 Jund Al-Hadra Division

1c Ghilman Guard

0-1 Ghilman Guard

The Jund Al-Hadra Division must be used if the Caliph or his heir is the C-in-C. It must be commanded by the C-in-C if used.

1-2 Ghilman Division

1c Ghilman

0-2 Ghilman

The Ghilman Division represent the expanded corps of Ghilman employed by the Caliphs.

0-2 Ahl Khurasan Division

1c Ahl Khurasan Cavalry

1-2 Ahl Khurasan Cavalry

0-1 Ahl Al-Sham Ally Division (Only in Syria)

1c Ahl Al-Sham Ally Cavalry

0-2 Ahl Al-Sham Ally Cavalry

0-1 Bedouin Ally Light Horse

0-1 Abna’ Division (Only in Iraq, AD 836 – AD 861)

1c Abna’ Spearmen

0-2 Abna’ Spearmen

0-1 ‘Abid Al-Shira Division

1c ‘Abid Al-Shira

1-2 ‘Abid Al-Shira

The ‘Abid Al-shira Division must be used AD 901 – AD 945.

0-2 Infantry Division

1c Spearmen

1-2 Spearmen

0-1 Foot Archers

At least one Infantry Division must be used AD 836 - AD 900. An Infantry Division may not include a unit of foot archers if any Spearmen unit in the Division has an archer detachment.

0-1 City Levy Division

1c City Levy or City Irregulars

0-1 City Irregulars

1-2 City Levy

0-2 Foot Archers

The City Levy Division can not receive any additional units.

0-2 Ally Bedouin Division (May not be used in the East)

1c Bedouin Ally Medium Horse or Bedouin Ally Light Horse

1-2 Bedouin Ally Light Horse

At least one Ally Bedouin Division must be used in Syria.

Additional units:

No Allied Division can receive additional units

0-2 Dailami Mercenary Infantry (Note 1)

0-1 Dailami Mercenary Archers (Note 1)

0-1 Khurasanian Horse Archers or Khurasanian Light Horse Archers (Note 2)

0-2 City Levy (Note 3)

0-2 Tribal Hillmen (Note 4)

0-4 Bedouin Light Horse (Note 5)

Additional unit notes:

1. Dailami may be added to an Abna Division, ‘Abid Al-Shira Division and/or any Division commanded by the C-in-C.
2. Khurasanians may be added to a Jund al-Hadra, Ghilman or Ahl Khurasan Division.
3. City Levy may be added to an Infantry Division.
4. Tribal Hillmen may be added to an Infantry Division
5. Bedouin Light Horse can be added to a Jund al-Hadra, Ghilman, Ahl Khurasan or Ahl Al-Sham Division

Mounted Units

Ghilman Guard

Heavy Horse Archers – Initiative 7, (Wave, Expert)

2 Bases - 52 Pts

4 Bases - 91 Pts

Comments:

Abbasid rulers started using Ghilman after the civil wars following the death of Harun Al-Rashid. The Ghilman were the most effective troops of their day, but were also very expensive. In addition they came to exercise considerable political influence that eventually caused severe problems.

Ghilman

Medium Horse Archers – Initiative 7, (Wave, Expert)

2 Bases - 44 Pts

4 Bases - 76 Pts

Comments:

Abbasid rulers started using increasing numbers of Ghilman after the capital was moved to Samarra. See above.

Ahl Khurasan Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry – Initiative 6 (Wave)

2 Bases - 36 Pts, 32 Pts if Brittle

4 Bases - 60 Pts, 52 Pts if Brittle

Ahl Khurasan may be Brittle in AD 836 – AD 900, they must be Brittle AD 901 – AD 945.

Comments:

These units represent the Ahl Khurasan, who were the core of the original Abbasid revolutionary army from Khurasan. They were now losing influence and effectiveness, however. The Ahl Khurasan were mailed lancers in the traditional Arab style.

Ahl Al-Sham Ally Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry – Initiative 6 (Ally, Wave)

2 Bases - 32 Pts

4 Bases - 52 Pts

Comments:

These units depict the Ahl Al-Sham. It was the old elite of the preceding Umayyad Caliphs and fought against the Abbasids during the Abbasid revolution, but took service with them once the Umayyad regime collapsed. The Umayyad capital had been Damascus and the Ahl Al-Sham continued to be stationed near it. The Ahl Al-Sham were mailed lancers in the traditional Arab style. Their effectiveness deteriorated along with their prestige and privileges, as the Ghilman gained influence.

Bedouin Ally Medium Horse

Medium Irregular Horse - Initiative 6 (Ally, Wave)

4 Bases - 40 Pts

6 bases - 54 Pts

Comments:

Bedouin Medium Ally Cavalry are the more heavily equipped members of Bedouin clans under tenuous Abbasid control.

Bedouin Light Horse

Light Irregular Horse – Initiative 6 (Wave)

4 Bases - 48 Pts, 40 Pts if Allied

6 Bases - 66 Pts, 54 Pts if Allied

Bedouin Light Horse in Bedouin Ally Divisions are Allies. Bedouin in other Divisions are not Allies.

Comments:

The Bedouin Light Horse consist of the less heavily equipped tribesmen of Bedouin clans, see above. Non-allied Bedouin Light Horse include smaller bodies of tribal Arab auxiliaries and various border fighters along with religious volunteers.

Khurasanian Horse Archers

Medium or Light Horse Archers – Initiative 6 (Wave)

4 Bases - 60 Pts

Comments:

These units represent Khurasanians in Abbasid service. Since Khurasan was no longer directly controlled by the Caliphs, they were less numerous than earlier.

Foot Units

Dailami Mercenary Infantry

Medium Shock – Initiative 6

4 Bases - 32 Pts

6 Bases - 42 Pts

Comments:

Dailami Mercenaries were professional infantry of good quality. They were primarily armed with javelins, swords and some axes.

Dailami Mercenary Archers

Light Archers or Medium Archers – Initiative 6

4 Bases - 28 Pts

6 Bases - 38 Pts

Comments:

A proportion of Dailami could be archers instead of javelinmen. See above.

Abna’ (Only AD 836 – AD 861)

Heavy or Medium Shieldsmen – Initiative 6

6 Bases – 38 Pts if Heavy, 32 Pts if Medium

8 Bases – 48 Pts if Heavy, 40 Pts if Medium

Comments:

The Abna’ were the descendants of those Ahl Khurasan troops stationed in Baghdad. They gradually evolved into a highly regarded, well equipped, and highly paid infantry force with considerable political influence. They lost a power struggle against the rising Ghilman and disappeared after AD 861.

‘Abid Al-Shira

Medium Shieldsmen with Medium Archer Detachment - Initiative 6 (Deep Line)

6 Bases –39 Pts

8 Bases –48 Pts

OR

Medium Archers – Initiative 6 (Expert)

4 Bases – 32 Pts

6 bases – 44 Pts

Up to 1 Unit in a Division may have a Naffatun Light Shock Detachment + 4 Pts

Comments:

The ‘Abid Al-Shira were African slaves and/or freedmen mainly equipped as foot archers. At least some of them had a front rank of spearmen with shields. They were considered good troops and remained effective as the traditional Abbasid infantry forces deteriorated.

Spearmen

Medium Shieldsmen – Initiative 6 (Brittle)

6 Bases - 26 Pts, 33 Pts if including Light Archer Detachment.

8 Bases - 32 Pts, 40 Pts if including Light Archer Detachment.

May have Light Archer Detachment.

Comments:

The Spearmen represent the majority of Abbasid infantry equipped with spear and shield. Some had helmets and/or mail hauberks and closely resembled their Byzantine counterparts in both equipment and performance. The Abbasid infantry was often supported by archers. In the later parts of the period, the Abbasid state found it increasingly difficult to field effective infantry.

Foot Archers

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 6 (Brittle)

4 Bases - 24 Pts

6 Bases - 32 Pts

Up to 1 Foot Archer Unit in a Division may have a Naffatun Light Shock Detachment + 4 Pts

Comments:

The Foot Archers represent the lightly equipped archers deployed in separate bodies. Some archers could be supported by naffatun incendiary troops.

Tribal Hillmen or City Irregulars

Light or Medium Irregulars – Initiative 6

6 Bases - 26 Pts

8 Bases - 32 Pts

Comments:

The Tribal Hillmen depicts the irregular infantry provided by various mountain clans. The City Irregulars depict the warlike, but undisciplined and badly equipped city dwellers that took up arms to considerable effect during the fighting in Baghdad during the civil wars.

City Levy

Medium Irregulars – Initiative 5

6 Bases - 22 Pts

8 Bases - 26 Pts

Comments:

City Levies depict the less warlike portions of the hastily mobilized city-dwellers occasionally used by the Abbasids, especially during the civil wars. In city fighting they sometimes proved effective, but were unreliable and ill-equipped.