Archers of Islam

Abstract

The extant record of the Islamic conquests of Arabia and the Fertile Crescent (mid-seventh century AD) are composite accounts that portray an inconsistent, if plausible, picture of events. Images of meagre resources and stronger foes contrast with images of cavalry actions and ‘free-wheeling’ methods of battlefield engagement. The challenges with the main sources are that they are anachronistic and their authors write salvation history, not military history. Source criticism, although essential, is inadequate to reconstruct the military methods of the early Islamic state. This article examines the seams and layers of the Arabic works and considers the evidence of artifacts and external literary sources. It indicates that early battlefield successes should be attributed to the employment of foot archers in tight formations. The image and importance of horse-archer tactics remain valid—but only for a later period of Islamic history.