Fatimid Egyptian AD 969 – AD 1169

Draft List

This list covers the armies of the Fatimids from their conquest of Egypt that toppled the Iqshidid state in AD 969 until Saladin’s take-over.

The original Fatimid armies that finally took Egypt after several failed attempts consisted of warlike but undisciplined Berber tribesmen. Once in control of Egypt, the Fatimids largely lost interest in the Maghreb and their Berber tribal supporters, and concentrated on Egypt and in trying to control Syria. This process entailed building a new and more professional army. Quite large numbers of the defeated Iqshidid army entered Fatimid service and were joined by increasing numbers of mercenaries from very varied backgrounds.

In the AD 970s large numbers of Dailami mercenaries were recruited along with increasing numbers of Turks (both Ghilman and free mercenaries).

After the civil wars of the mid 11th century, the Muslim Armenian wazir introduced large numbers of Armenian soldiers emigrating from Asia Minor, which was being overrun by the Saljuqs. Most of the Armenians were infantry archers and were highly regarded. They replaced the Turks as a major faction of the Fatimid army. However, most of the Armenians were Christians, which caused considerable friction with other factions of the Fatimid armies.

A Fatimid army must state its theatre of operations, Egypt or Syria. Syria includes Jordan, the Lebanon and Palestine.

Army List

Terrain in Egypt: Dry - Coastal

Terrain in Syria: Dry - Hilly

0-1 Ghilman Division (Only AD 975 – AD 1076)

1c Turkish Ghilman

0-1 Turkish Ghilman

If the Ghilman Division is used, it must be commanded by the C-in-C

1-2 Cavalry Division

1c Ajnad Cavalry

0-1 Ajnad Cavalry

1-2 Provincial Cavalry or Syrian Cavalry

The C-in-C must command a Cavalry Division if not commanding a Ghilman Division.

1-2 Berber Tribal Division (Only AD 969 – AD 974)

1c Berber Tribal Cavalry

0-1 Berber Tribal Cavalry

1-2 Berber Tribal Infantry

0-1 Berber Tribal Archers

1-2 Ajnad Infantry Division

1c ‘Abid al-Shira

1-2 ‘Abid al-Shira

0-1 Lutat Macemen

1-2 Armenian Division (Only in AD 1078 – 1169)

1c Armenian Cavalry or Armenian ‘Qaws’ Archers

1-2 Armenian ‘Qaws’ Archers

0-2 Syrian Ahdath Division (Only in Syria AD 975 – AD 1169)

1c Syrian Ahdath

0-1 Syrian Ahdath

0-2 Muttatawia Volunteers

At least one unit of Muttatawia Volunteers must be used in a Syrian Ahdath Division in AD 1098 – AD 1169 if facing Crusaders.

0-2 Egyptian City Levy Division (Only in Egypt)

1c Egyptian City Levy

1-2 Egyptian City Levy

0-1 Muttatawia Volunteers

0-1 Bedouin Ally Division

1c Bedouin Cavalry

1-2 Bedouin Cavalry

0-1 Damascus Ally Division (Only in AD 1078 – AD 1169)

1c Syrian Ally Cavalry

0-1 Syrian Ally Cavalry

1-2 Syrian Ally Turkmen

May not be used together with a Crusader Ally Division

0-1 Crusader Ally Division (Only in Egypt in AD 1167)

1c Crusader Ally Knights

1-2 Crusader Ally Foot

May not be used with a Damascus Ally Division

Additional Units:

0-1 Turk or Ghuzz Mercenaries (Note 1)

0-1 Dailami Guards (Note 2)

0-1 Saririyya Pikemen (Note 3)

0-2 Bedouin Tribal Cavalry (Note 4)

2-4 Berber Tribal Infantry (Note 5)

0-1 Berber Tribal Archers (Note 5)

0-2 Maghrebi or Zanj Mercenary Infantry (Note 6)

0-2 al-Nashiba Archers (Note 7)

1. Turk Mercenaries can only be added to an Ajnad Division or Ghilman Division
2. Dailami Guards can only be added to a Division commanded by the C-in-C or to an ‘Abd al-Shira Division.
3. Saririyya Pikemen can be added to an Abid al-Shira Division
4. Bedouin Cavalry may be added to an Ajnad Division
5. Berber Tribal Infantry and Berber Tribal Archers used as additional units are only available in AD 975 – AD 1076. They may be added to any non-allied Division.
6. Maghrebi Mercenary Infantry is only available in AD 1077 – AD 1169. Zanj are available at any date.
7. al-Nashiba Archers can be added to an Ajnad Infantry Division, or a Syrian Ahdath Division.

Mounted Units

Ghilman (Only in AD 975 – AD 1076)

Heavy or Medium Horse Archers- Initiative 7

2 Bases – 52 Pts if Heavy, 44 if Medium

4 Bases – 91 Pts if Heavy, 76 Pts if Medium

Comments:

Starting in AD 975, the Fatimids enrolled increasing number of Turk Ghilman. The Turks were excellent troops, but rapidly acquired considerable political power that complicated the internal politics of the Fatimid armies.

The Turks lost their political influence and were mostly disbanded in the wake of the civil war of the AD 1060s and in the face of a threatening Saljuq invasion of Egypt. The Ghilman were disbanded in AD 1077.

Turk or Ghuzz Mercenaries (Only in AD 975 – AD 1169)

Light Horse Archers- Initiative 6

2 Bases – 36 Pts

4 Bases – 60 Pts

Comments:

From AD 975, the Fatimids recruited Turk mercenaries along with Ghilman. The Ghilman were disbanded in AD 1077, but limited numbers of Turk mercenaries were still used until the end of the Fatimid dynasty. The later mercenaries did not have much political influence.

Ajnad Cavalry or Armenian Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry – Initiative 7 (Wave)

2 Bases – 42 Pts, 46 Pts if Elite

4 Bases – 72 Pts, 80 Pts if Elite

One Ajnad Cavalry or Armenian Cavalry unit in a Division may be equipped with Bow (no extra cost).

An Ajnad Cavalry unit can be classed as Elite if personally commanded by the C-in-C to represent the Caliph’s or Wazir’s personal guard.

Comments:

The Ajnad was the professional core of the Fatimid army. It mainly consisted of cavalry lancers along with the ‘Abd al-Shira foot. Some of the Ajnad may have been equipped with bows as well.

The Ajnad Cavalry were highly trained professional soldiers quartered in barracks in Cairo and a few other major cities. They were of very mixed ethnic backgrounds (Maghrebis, Sudanis, Syrians, Egyptians, Armenians, and even some Europeans). At least some of them were slave soldiers (Ghilman/Mamluk), while others were mercenaries.

The Ajnad Cavalry were joined by Armenian troopers as elite mounted soldiers in the period after AD 1077.

Provincial Cavalry or Syrian Cavalry

Heavy or Medium Cavalry – Initiative 6 (Wave)

2 Bases – 36 Pts if Heavy, 32 Pts if Medium

4 Bases – 60 Pts if Heavy, 52 Pts if Medium

Comments:

A large part of the Fatimid cavalry forces were based in the provinces and supported by Iqta’ ‘fiefs’. This was supplemented by cash payments when on active service. They were not as well trained and equipped as the Ajnad troopers.

Syrian Cavalry was very similar.

Berber Tribal Cavalry or Bedouin Tribal Cavalry

Medium or Light Irregular Horse – Initiative 6 (Wave)

4 Bases - 48 Pts, 40 Pts if Allied

6 Bases - 66 Pts, 54 Pts if Allied

Berber Cavalry are not Allied.

Bedouin Cavalry in Bedouin Ally Divisions are Allied, other Bedouin cavalry are not Allied.

At least half the Berber Cavalry used must be Light.

Comments:

Bedouin Cavalry may be Medium if commanded by the Division’s general, it must be Light if not commanded by a general. Any Berber Cavalry may be Medium.

Syrian Ally Cavalry

Heavy or Medium Cavalry – Initiative 6 (Wave, Ally)

2 Bases – 32 Pts if Heavy, 28 Pts if Medium

4 Bases – 52 Pts if Heavy, 44 Pts if Medium

Comments:

The Syrian Ally Cavalry depict the Arab part of forces of Damascus that were periodically allied to the Fatimids.

Syrian Ally Turkmen

Light Horse Archers – Initiative 6 (Wave, Expert, Ally)

4 Bases – 56 Pts

6 Bases – 78 Pts

Comments:

The Syrian Ally Turkmen depict the Turkmen part of the forces of Damascus that were periodically allied to the Fatimids.

Crusader Ally Knights

Heavy Chevaliers – Initiative 6 (Ally, Audacious)

2 Bases – 62 Pts

3 Bases – 81 Pts

Comments:

Crusader Ally Knights represent the knights of the Crusader force that allied with the Fatimids against Saladin in AD 1167.

Foot Units

Dailami Guards

Heavy Shock- Initiative 6 (Elite)

4 Bases – 44 Pts

Lutat Macemen

Medium Shock- Initiative 6 (Audacious)

6 Bases – 42 Pts

8 Bases – 52 Pts

Berber Tribal Infantry

Medium or Light Irregulars – Initiative 6

6 Bases - 26 Pts

8 Bases - 32 Pts

Berber Tribal Archers

Light Archers – Initiative 6

4 Bases – 28 Pts

Maghrebi or Zanj Mercenary Infantry

Medium or Light Irregulars – Initiative 6

6 Bases - 26 Pts

8 Bases - 32 Pts

Zanj Mercenary Infantry classed as Irregulars must be Audacious. Maghrebi are not Audacious.

OR

Medium or Light Shieldsmen- Initiative 6

6 Bases – 32 Pts

8 Bases – 40 Pts

Maghrebi or Zanj Mercenary Infantry must be classed as Irregulars in AD 1150 - AD 1169.

Comments:

The Fatimids continued to enlist some Berber and other Maghrebi soldiers after the civil wars in and subsequent army reforms in the later 11th century. They no longer had much influence in Fatimid politics, though.

Zanj were African troops, some of whom were well disciplined regular fighters. Others were undisciplined but fierce tribal fighters, especially at the end of the Fatimid period

'Abid al-Shira

Medium Shieldsmen + Light Archer Detachment - Initiative 6

6 Bases – 35 Pts

8 Bases – 44 Pts

OR

Medium Irregulars – Initiative 6

6 Bases - 26 Pts

8 Bases - 32 Pts

At least half of the ‘Abid al-Shira must be Irregulars in AD 1150 – AD 1169

Comments:

The ‘Abid al-Shira formed the core of the professional Fatimid infantry. They were recruited from black Africans, at least some of whom were slave soldiers. They were good quality heavy infantry and were often supported by archers.

After the civil wars of the mid-12th C, the professionalism of the army declined and the discipline of the ‘Abid al-Shira deteriorated.

Al-Nashiba Archers

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 6

4 Bases – 28 Pts

May have a Naffatun Light Shock Detachment, +4 Pts

Comments:

Al-Nashiba were infantry archers of good quality. They were often supported by Naffatun incendiary troops.

Saririyya Pikemen

Medium Shieldsmen - Initiative 6 (Deep Line)

6 Bases - 32 Pts

8 Bases - 40 Pts

Comments:

The Fatimid army contained a single unit of pikemen.

Armenian 'Qaws' Archers (Only in AD 1077 – AD 1169)

Heavy Archers- Initiative 6 (Expert)

4 Bases – 36 Pts

6 Bases – 50 Pts

Comments:

Armenian 'Qaws' Archers depict the large numbers of Armenian soldiers recruited by the Fatimids. They were considered expert marksmen.

Syrian Ahdath (Only in Syria)

Medium Shieldsmen + Light Archer Detachment - Initiative 5

6 Bases – 32 Pts

8 Bases – 39 Pts

Comments:

Syrian Ahdath was the militia of Syrian cities. They were reasonably well organized and had basic equipment. While not elite troops, they often fought well in defence of their homes.

Egyptian City Levy

Medium Irregulars – Initiative 5

6 Bases – 22 Pts

8 Bases – 26 Pts

Comments:

City Levies depict hastily mobilized city-dwellers used by the Fatimids in emergencies. They were numerous, but unreliable and ill-equipped.

Muttatawia Volunteers

Medium or Light Irregulars - Initiative 6 (Audacious)

6 Bases - 26 Pts

8 Bases - 32 Pts

Comments:

The Muttatawia Volunteers depict the ill-disciplined religious volunteers that often accompanied Fatimid forces.

Crusader Ally Foot

Medium Shieldsmen + Light Archer Detachment – Initiative 6 (Ally)

6 Bases – 23 Pts

8 Bases – 28 Pts

Comments:

Crusader Ally Foot represent the infantry of the Crusader force that allied with the Fatimids against Saladin in AD 1167.