The Veiled Ones - An Almoravid AAR/Mega Campaign

[Populace]

The Veiled Ones
An Almoravid AAR and Mega Campaign
​

Preface

Hello all, this will be my first real attempt at an AAR. Subsequently I will make mistakes and a faux pas here and there. Criticism and advice are all wanted and appreciated. I plan on beginning in the bookmark of 1066 as Emir Yusuf of the Almoravid (truly an interesting character in history!). I'm playing with EMF/HIP enabled so there's a bit more flavor and excitement/intrigue between the warring years. This will be written in a loose history book type fashion as I find that most appealing. If all goes to plan I intend on converting over to Eu4 by the 1444ish year. Firstly our goals;

1. Become masters of the Maghreb, the Almoravids must manifest their destiny!
2. Carve out territory in Andalusia and thwart the Iberian Reconquista
3. Form an Empire that stretches from Marrakech to Mecca
4. Become Caliph/adopt a heresy
5. Defend the holy land from Christians and Mongols alike
6. Somehow lose territory/decline in power before the end of 1444

I will be attempting to roleplay each character according to their traits, I will be using the debug console to make sure the world makes some sense and to facilitate interesting narratives should the opportunity to craft one arise. Without further adieu;

​

Chapter 0 - A Brief History
Beginning in the early 1050’s a great Muslim Empire would rise from the sands of the Sahara to subjugate the entire North African Coast and repulse Christian invaders from the Al-Andalus. A powerful Dynasty known as the Almoravids would establish themselves as the preeminent power in the region, feared by many and respected by the faithful. To their contemporaries, the Almoravids were known as the al-Mulathimun, or “the veiled ones” (referring to the use of a Tagelmust among the Almoravid nobility, which in turn was adopted from the Sanhaja Berbers).

Sometime in 1040 Abdallah ibn Yasin, after being expelled from the Gudala tribe of coastal Mauritania following the death of his benefactor and protector Yahya ibn Ibrahim, found audience among the neighboring Lamtuna people of the Adrar Plateau. Abdallah ibn Yasin, student of scholar and jurist Abu Imran al-Fasi, was a devout Sunni Muslim and practitioner of the Maliki school of Islam of which fervently preached rigid formalism and strict adherence to the dictates of the Qur’an and the Orthodox tradition. Yasin first found success preaching to the fringes of Lamtuna society. Sensing the useful organizing power of Yasin’s pious fervor, Chieftain Yahya ibn Umar a-Lamtuni of Drar invited Yasin to preach to his people. Chieftain Yahya kept Ibn Yasin on a careful leash while Yasin invoked the stories of the early life of Muhammad, preaching that conquest was a necessary addendum to islamicization, that it was not enough to merely adhere to God’s law, but necessary to also destroy opposition to it. For Chieftain Yahya, Yasin’s ideology, his long desire to reform the Sanhaja union and recover lost dominions were synergistic.

A map of the modern day administrative region of Mauritania
​

By the early 1050’s the Lamtuna, under join leadership of Yahya ibn Umar and Abdallah ibn Yasin, soon began calling themselves the al-Murabitin (Almoravids), or “those who were bound together in the cause of God”. From 1053 the Almoravids began their conquest to the North and South of the Sahara, seizing control of the entire desert trade route and Sijilmasa in 1054. Chieftain Yahya ibn Umar was slain in battle in 1057, his brother Abu-Bakr ibn Umar was then named Chief by Abdullah ibn Yasin. Abu-Bakr, an able general, conquered the fertile region of Sus and its capital Aghmat a year after the death of his brother and Almoravids soon began to spread their power beyond the desert subjugating the Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains. Abdullah ibn Yasin then came in contact with the Berghouata, a Berber tribal confederation whose lands spread from Safi to Infa. The Berghouata, resistant to Yasin’s teaching, killed the influential spiritual leader in 1059 during a battle in the village of Krifla. In response the tribe was completely conquered by Abu-Bakr and forced to convert to orthodox Islam. With the holdings of the Almoravid quickly expanding, Abu-Bakr ibn Umar handed over the more-settled Northern possessions to his cousin Yusuf ibn Tashfin as viceroy. By delegating the rule of the north to Yusuf, Abu-Bakr could focus on crushing the revolts that had broken out in the southern deserts.

Abu-Bakr would return from the deserts of the Sahara victorious, only to find his cousin Yusuf had consolidated great control over the Northern African province. Yusuf ibn Tashfin in 1062 founded the city of Marrakech, a great seat of power from which he would rule his holdings. Daunted by Yusuf’s new-found power, Abu-Bakr saw any attempts at reasserting his post politically unfeasible and returned to the fringes of the Sahara to settle the unrest of the southern frontier.


This is where our story begins, with Yusuf ibn Tashfin of the Almoravids in 1066 AD...

​

 

[Populace]

Chapter 1 - The Almoravid World in 1066

As the Almoravid Sultanate rises in the western Sahara the remainder of North Africa remains divided. The Maghrawavid, Ya’lalid and Hammadid Emirates vying for power in the region known as Maghreb. Farther east lay the remains of what once was the Zirid Sultanate of Ifriqiya. The Zirids, entrusted by the Fatimids of Egypt to rule over their western most provinces, broke ties with the Shia caliphate soon after. This betrayal prompted the Fatimid Caliph to organize a migration of nomadic Bedouin tribes known as the Banu Hilal and send them to attack the Zirid Sultanate. These nomadic Bedouin tribes would cause the Zirids to Collapse while at the same time disrupting the largely agrarian berber societies that had made that region of North Africa their home. From the tribes of Banu Hilal emerged the Riyahdid and Zoghbadid Emirates.

To the north in Al-Andalus the squabbling Taifa's are what remains of the once great Ummayyad Caliphate. Further north in the region once known as Asturias has emerged the three Christian kingdoms of Galicia, Leon and Castille; all lorded over by brothers of the Jimena Dynasty. These brothers, if they can avoid petty squabbles between themselves, could spell an end to Islamic rule in the Iberian peninsula. However, if the Taifa’s can put aside their differences and unite perhaps they can resist encroaching Christian influence.

Chapter 2 - The First Fitna

As Abu-Bakr returns to his capital in Ifni he is shocked to see that Yusuf has consolidated most of the Northern provinces under his direct rule shifting the balance of power within the Almoravid Sultanate. Yusuf, upon hearing news that his cousin has returned from his mission in the Sahara, sends Abu-Bakr an ultimatum. Yusuf demands Abu-Bakr abdicate and hand all power over the Sultanate to him.

Abu-Bakr, having been chosen by Abdallah ibn Yasin as the successor to Yahya, rejects Yusuf’s notion of his right to rule despite his realization of the hopelessness of the situation. All Abu-Bakr can hope for is a divine miracle or for Allah to guide him to victory. The First Almoravid Fitna, or Civil War, emerges. Yusuf rallies his troops under his banner and descends south towards the county of Sous. Yusuf’s scouts alert him of a small loyalist army marching south towards Infi. As the siege of Ifni begins word reaches Yusuf that Abu-Bakr’s main army has begun their march towards the county of Draa. Yusuf, upon hearing the sheer strength disparity between the two armies, is assured of his victory before any battle need be fought.

Yusuf and Abu-Bakr first clash at the Battle of Tudgha where Yusuf is able to defeat loyalist commander Kabayo Konare in personal combat, severely injuring the young commander by severing his hand and undoubtedly ending what could have been a promising military career. The battle was devastating for Abu-Bakr whose army had been cut in half by Yusuf’s sheer numerical superiority.

As Abu-Bakr attempts to make a quick escape from the pursuit of Yusuf’s army they are cornered in the mountains of Warzazat. There Abu-Bakr’s army is completely crushed leaving little over 700 men left to fight in the name of Abu-Bakr. This was a decisive victory as Abu-Bakr himself was captured in Battle and brought to Yusuf so that he may officially surrender the Sultanate.

In a short 2 years Yusuf had ended the civil war and declared himself Almoravid Sultan. While Yusuf held no ill will against his cousin, Yusuf decided that his presence within the Sultanate posed a persistent threat to his reign. Yusuf thus had Abu-Bakr banished, leaving his holdings to his young son Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abu-Bakr of Sijilmasa. Abu-Bakr himself fled north to the court of Sheik Suqut Barghawatid of Tangier.

This would mark the end of the First Almoravid Fitna...

​

 

[Idhrendur]

Fun start! I'll be reading.

 

[Populace]

Chapter 3 - Sultan Yusuf Ibn tashfin Almoravid

Not long after the defeat of Abu-Bakr and Yusuf ascend the throne did word reach Yusuf’s spymaster al-Hajj ibn Muhammad that High Chief Ali of Adrar was plotting and attempt on the young prince Ali, Yusuf’s son. Yusuf, enraged, sends a contingent of his guard to arrest High Chief Ali. The guards however were unsuccessful and executed publicly by Ali who then promptly raised his banner in rebellion. Ali would be joined in rebellion by the infidel Chief Tilankan of Arouane, a Kharijite practitioner.

The lands of Tilankan would be subdued first by Yusuf’s armies before Ali and Yusuf came to blows at the Battle of Ifni. Yusuf, knowing the treacherous rat Ali’s presence on the battlefield, caused a devastating break in Ali’s front line. Yusuf aggressively maneuvered his troops to slice through Ali’s ranks crushing his army. While the bold maneuver did not hand Ali over to the blade of Yusuf, Chief Tilankan was captured in the chaos. Ali would be captured after the fall of his fortress in the county of Bir um Grein. There he surrendered to Yusuf, had his title stripped and would be imprisoned until his death. In his stead, Shiruyah Iznagen would be named high Chief by Yusuf and given rulership over the Adrar Plateau. Chief Tilankan would also remain imprisoned in Yusuf’s dungeon for life and heirless, his lands would pass unto Yusuf following his death.

Later that year Yusuf would eye the holdings of Emir Mu’ansir Maghrawavid of Fes. Unlike Abu-Bakr, Yusuf saw the great potential in the continuation of Northward conquest. The value of the more developed northern holdings would greatly bolster the power of the Sultanate more than the entire Sahara under their rule. Mu’ansir’s holding of Fes was a terminal stop in the trans-Saharan trade and boasted a thriving market which made the Emirate of Fes rich. The Maghrawavid’s were a natural candidate for conquest.

​

War was declared in 1070 and after a series of humiliating defeats at the hands of Yusuf, the Maghrawavid Emirate was nearly subdude. Mu’ansir would die in 1071 leaving his young son, Tamim Ibn Mu’ansir Maghrawavid, to fight the remainder of the war. The young Emir however would surrender in 1073, swearing fealty to Yusuf Almoravid. The subjugation of the Maghrawavid’s increased the Almoravid’s northern holdings by nearly double and gave them access to the Mediterranean sea via the county of El Rif. However, after nearly 7 years of constant warfare Yusuf’s manpower was nearly depleted. His armies had suffered major casualties stalling any future conquest for years to come. For those few short years of peace trade along the Almoravid controlled trans-Saharan trade routes brought great riches to the city of Marrakech, prompting Yusuf to fund the construction of a great Bazaar in marrakech as well as expanding the salt mine of Taghaza.

​

All was not perfect in Yusuf’s years of peace. Sometime in 1078 Abu-Bakr’s song Ibrahim had declared himself Emir of Sous, much to the anger of Yusuf. Using his new found power, ibrahim had openly denounced Yusuf’s rule at a meeting of important vassals. Yusuf, seeing this as an act of treason and betrayal attempted to have Ibrahim arrested only to have Ibrahim rise up in rebellion.

It was not long before Ibrahim’s rebellion was crushed and his holdings reduced to the solitary county of Draa, while his holding of Ifni was granted to Yusuf’s eldest son Ali to govern. Ibrahim would never see the light of day again as he would spend the remainder of his years in Yusuf’s dungeon.

​

Again turning his attention to northward conquest, Yusuf spied the Ya’lalid Emirate. By 1080 Emir al-’Abbas Ya’lalid of Tlemcen had been besieged on all sides and his realm taken piecemeal by regional sunni warlords.

​

Despite his dire situation al-’Abbas was able to resist Yusuf’s subjugation for more than a year as his armies hid among the mountains of Wajda and Tlemcen. The defeat of the Ya’lalid’s did not mark the end of Yusuf’s ambitions. The Maghrawavid conquest brought much of northern Maghreb under Almoravid dominion, save for the county of tangier.

Tangier had been taken from the Barghawatid’s by the Andalusian Abbadid Emirate under Muhammad II. This county of Tangier was the key to total Almoravid domination of the Maghreb. Yusuf, quickly marching his armies from the mountains of Tlemcen, besieged the Abbadid holding.

After losing control of tangier and a series of crushing military defeats, Muhammad II had ceded all control of Tangier to Yusuf in 1082. Later that year Yusuf held a grand Furusiyya in celebration of his strings of military victories, where he himself had emerged the victor. Now 42 years of age Yusuf had decided to fulfill his duty as a Muslim and go on Hajj. Yusuf led a large caravan of the faithful across the deserts of North Africa towards Mecca, face trials and tribulations that tested his faith. However once reaching the Kabah itself, Yusuf, overcome with faith and belief, proceeded to shout at every circuit. Yusuf then performed the Sa’i in honor of the search for water by Ishamel’s mother. Yusuf would return to Marrakech in 1083, invigorated and boasting even more devotion for his faith.

​

That following year in 1084 Yusuf had received an emissary from the realm of Sultan Jyad II of Valencia. The emissary was sent at the behest of Sheik Muhammad of Deniyya, the Grand Vizier and Designated Regent of the 13 year oled Sultan Jyad II. Muhammad’s emissary beseeched Yusuf to come to their aid. The detestable infidel French King Philippe Capet had declared a holy war for the Jyadid’s holdings in Valencia. Yusuf, hearing of the plight of the Jyadid’s and feeling as though he was bound by duty following his successful Hajj, swore to come to their aid. In August of 1084 Philippe’s army would get bogged down at the siege of Deniyya. The garrison defenders had repeatedly stormed out of the fortress and raided the French army causing a significant amount of casualties before retreating back into the safety of the Fortress before the French army could organize a counter attack. With the French army otherwise occupied with their siege, it allowed Yusuf’s army to march from Mursiya to Deniyya undetected.

The Battle of Elx, 1084AD
​

In late August early September Yusuf would come to blows with the great christian Army of France at the Battle of Elx. It was a stunning military victory for Yusuf’s faithful as the french army had been completely obliterated, being wedged between the Fortress of Deniyya and Yusuf’s army, the French army was reduced from 45000 men to just under 800 by the conclusion of the battle. At the battle of Elx however Duke Robert II ‘the Tormentor’ de Normandie was captured in battle.

Duke Robert was the eldest son of Duke William ‘the Bastard’ de Normandie, who 20 years before attempted to assert his claim over the Kingdom of England. Duke William would not succeed as the armies Norwegian King Harald III "Hardrade" Yngling would best both Duke William and the Anglo King Harold II in 1068. King Harald III would die in 1077 leaving his son Olav as his successor. Olav however would not be able to hold onto the Anglo-Saxon crown as a faction of powerful vassals threw off the Norwegian yoke, supplanting Olav's rule with that of King Eadgar II of Wessex, and became de facto independent in 1078. Now Duke Robert II who had at one time been in line for his own kingdom lay in the dungeons of a Muslim Sultan from Africa.

Almost exactly one year following the battle of Elx, French King Phillippe Capet surrendered to the muslim coalition in September of 1085...

 

[Tommy4ever]

Nice beginning. Soon you will be crossing over into Andalusia!

What map mod are you using? I love the look of it.

 

[Populace]

Nice beginning. Soon you will be crossing over into Andalusia!

What map mod are you using? I love the look of it.

In Heavens Cartographic mod

 

[Populace]

A Berber Caravan Travelling Across the Saharan Desert​

Chapter 4 - Blood on the Sand

While Yusuf enjoyed much influence over the trans-Saharan trade routes and uncontested control of the western Maghreb, there was still the question of the mighty Kingdom of Ghana to the south. Abu-Bakr’s ambitions had included subjugating the entirety of the infidel Kingdom of Ghana however as history has taught us he would be in no position to achieve these ambitions. While in the past there had been great cooperation between the Muslim Berber tribes and the African tribals, Yusuf had grown tired of the heathens of the Senegal to his southern border. In a gesture of good faith Yusuf had sent his Court Imam, Karidenna, to Proselytize the Soninke peoples. While Mansa Kambine Cisse had initially been receptive to Karidenna’s preaching, by 1087 he would have the Sunni Imam banished from Wagadu. Historical scholars are still unsure what prompted the expulsion of the preacher but all scholars agree that this banishment prompted Yusuf’s retaliation.

Karidenna, upon returning to Marrakech shared with Sultan Yusuf his detest for the Pagan Africans citing their stubbornness and ignorance had made it impossible to convert the savages. Yusuf, feeling spurned by the Mansa’s mistreatment of his Imam raised an army and marched it towards the county of Aoudaghost.

While the heart of the Kingdom of Ghana was by all means a pagan stronghold, the northern most holdings of Aoudaghost, Oualata and Timbuktu all boasted a sizeable Muslim majority as these holdings were teh final cross roads between the Berber dominated Sahara and the Sonike dominated Senegal river valley. Yusuf had cited the conquest of Aoudaghost as a religious liberation of the Muslim peoples from the rulership of an infidel King, many sources suggest that the Aoudaghost market, a hub of saharan trade, had also influenced Yusuf’s justification for war.

With the borderlands seized and the army of Mansa Kambine in retreat Yusuf had officially gained control of Aoudaghost in 1089 leaving his second eldest son Tasfhin ibn Yusuf to govern over the newly acquired territory. Tashfin at the young age of 19 had a rather dull and docile demeanor and held little more tactical genius than a field soldier. Yusuf saw the delegation of rulership of this far away province as an opportunity to distance Tashfin from contesting the rule of Yusuf’s eldest son Ali upon Yusuf’s demise.

Many years would pass and the shape of the Almoravid Sultanate would shift very little. In 1092 Emir an-Nasir of the eastern Hammadid's in Kabylia would be forced by Scimitar to pay tribute to the mighty Almoravid Sultanate. Yusuf would become de factor suzerain of the Hammadid's thus bringing the Majority of the region known as the Maghreb under his control. In 1093 a successful Christian Crusade against the Fatimid Caliphate would see the establishment of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem under King Borivoj ‘the Pilgrim’ Premyslid.

In the early year of 1094 Yusuf had recieved word that a Muslim had been executed unjustly on the orders of the pagan lord of Oualata. Yusuf, seeing himself as the protector of the Western Muslims would not stand for the atrocity and in later that year would invade the counties of Oualata and Timbuktu, both of which swore allegiance to the King of Ghana Mansa Kalabi Cisse. Kalabi was the young son of Mansa Kambine whom Yusuf had forced to capitulate many years earlier. The outcome would be the same as the Ghanan armies were crushed as the lands of Oualata and Timbuktu came under the control of the Sunni Almoravids. Kalabi was given the opportunity by Yusuf to convert to Islam after his surrender yet the young Mansa resisted the ultimatum.

The Almoravid Realm at the height of Yusuf ibn Tashfin's reign, circa 1096AD​

 

[Populace]

Chapter 5 - Sultan Ali II Ibn Yusuf Almoravid

Yusuf, at the height of his power in the 1090’s had dreamt of an expansive empire that stretched far beyond the confines of North Africa. To the North the squabbling Taifas and infidel Christian Kingdoms of northern Iberia had met at a stalemate. The taifas, finding strength in the solidarity in their faith, were able to halt the Christian advance of King Sancho II ‘the Fearless’ of Castille at Calatrava. However with the Christian Kings of Galicia, Leon and Castille fighting amongst themselves over claims to each other's crowns the pressure that was alleviated from the Taifa’s brought out regional ambitions among the more powerful Emir’s. The Aftasids of Badajoz and the Jayadid’s of Valencia soon began military incursions into their neighbors, destabilizing the region. Yusuf saw the Iberian infighting as the perfect atmosphere to which the Almoravid invasion of Iberia could succeed. As famous Muslim scholar Abdul-Waleed Ibn Murad al-Baitar wrote in his seminal work, The History and Origins of the Modern Maghrebi State and their Contemporaries; "...the Almoravids at the height of Yusuf's power... [were] poised like a biblical flood, ready to engulf the Iberian Peninsula in its entirety..."

However, Yusuf's ambitions would go unrealized.

In the latter half of 1096 AD an epidemic of Slow Fever would ravage the Almoravid Sultanate. Sultan Yusuf himself succumbed to the disease, dying at the age of 56. His eldest son and preferred heir Ali would ascend the throne.

Ali II Ibn Yusuf Almoravid was a more than capable ruler who had demanded the respect of his vassals and had followed in the footsteps of his father when it came to matters of war and leadership. Ali, having already experienced rulership as Emir of Sous, was able to quell any succession crisis that may have reared its ugly head. With a coronation event that same year Ali’s rule was cemented.

The rule of Ali however would come to an untimely end as he too would succumb to slow fever a year later in 1097 passing the Sultanate to his eldest son Yusuf II Ibn Ali Almoravid.

​

The premature death of Ali II would drastically alter the trajectory of the Almoravid Sultanate. Scholars suggest that this pivotal moment in North African history set the Almoravid Sultanate back 100 years due to the events the would proceed after the death of Ali and the Ascension of Yusuf II. Opponents of this theory oft state that if Ali had survived his battle with Typhoid fever and went on to expand Almoravid rule into Iberia and beyond, that the ill prepared rule of Yusuf II would have surely seen the ultimate demise of the Sultanate...

Chapter 6 - Sultan Yusuf II Ibn Ali Almoravid

​

Sultan Yusuf II was a far cry from his name sake. Yusuf II’s formative years had been spent in relative luxury as the court of Marrakech and Sous. Whereas the years of struggle in the Saharan Desert around the Adrar Plateau had made Yusuf the respected and capable leader that he was, Yusuf II’s decadent lifestyle had led him to be little more than a figure head of Almoravid Power.

His ascension was muddled by constant vassal interference, with factions looking to limit Yusuf II’s power and delegate more power to the local Emirs. In 1098 and 1099 Yusuf II was approached by the powerful factions within the Almoravid Court and forced, by the threat of war, to secede the county of Tadla to Emir Mu’ansir II of Fes as well as repeal Yusuf I’s Decree of Allegiance. In 1092 prior to the subjugation of the Hammadids, Yusuf had instituted the “Decree of Allegiance” which obligated the Almoravid vassals to provide the Sultan with great tribute in the form of Levies. The weak and cowardly Yusuf II, looking to appease the factions accepted the terms.

Yusuf II would be known during the early years of his rule for his expensive taste, propensity to throw lavish feasts, aversion to and delegation of administrative responsibilities and being more concerned with court gossip than actually ruling the Sultanate. The great wealth of the Sultanate and court members vying for power did very little to abate Yusuf's lifestyle. With complete control over the trans-Saharan trade routes and economic growth of the Sultanate through the spoils of conquest, Yusuf would have all the means necessary to live as lavish a life as he deemed fit. In conjunction with his slothful attitude and disinterest in matters of state, Yusuf was wholly uninsterested in the trivialities of war. With lack of expansion vassals within the Sultanate grew restless and many wars erupted between the Emir's of the Almoravid Sultanate furthering the strength of select regional Emir's. The weakness of the crown only reinforced this grow in regionalism and autonomy among the Emir's.

While the Almoravid Sultanate stagnated under the rule of young Yusuf II, all around the world stage saw changes.

In 1112, the court Imams would obtain a great sum of gold after repeatedly obligating Sultan Yusuf. These same imams would then launch a mission into Ghana to proselytize the area. Soon even the great Mansa Kalabi would follow the true faith. Although Yusuf merely served to finance this mission, he nonetheless gained some amount of renown for his involvement in the conversion of the great infidel Kingdom, Yusuf would obtain the moniker 'the Proselytizer'.

​

Later that year Tsar Vladimir Rurikid would establish the Tsardom of Rus. Commonly referred to as the Kievan Rus, this "empire" consisted of loosely allied Russian Orthodox Dukes and Kings who owed very little true allegiance to Vladimir. Many scholars postulate that it was a natural reaction to the growing power of the central European Holy Roman Empire.

In 1114 an attempt on the life of Sultan Yusuf II would be made with Yusuf barely escaping with his life. This prompted Yusuf to go into hiding in fear for his life. In his stead, Emir Haidar of Sous (Yusuf's younger brother) would be take over as regent.

​

Haidar was very well respected in the courts of the Almoravid Sultanate. Had Ali survived longer to see the greatness that would become of his second eldest son perhaps Haidar would have been designated as preferred heir. Haidar boasted adept knowledge of war and unlike his older brother, took to his swordsmanship and horseman ship with great dedication during his tutelage. Haidar would attempt to restart the Almoravid war-machine. In 1115 Haidar would join the Zirid Sultanate in their defense against Sicilian King Roger II and his holy war for the desert of Jerid. Roger II would retreat from the banks of Ifriqiya (the colloquial name for the modern day administrative regions of Tunis and Libya) in 1116. After 2 years of isolation Yusuf II endeavored to make his Hajj, hoping that by escaping the Sultanate he too could escape the intrigue contained within. Yusuf enjoyed a relatively unremarkable journey to Mecca where he would do the bare minimum expected of him to fulfill his duties.

However, upon returning in 1117 Yusuf would find that Emir Haidar had usurped the Sultanate. While Yusuf was away on Hajj, Haidar had amassed support from prominent Emir's who had grown disillusioned with the decadent rule of Yusuf and through their unfaultering allegiance Haidar was able to claim the throne. Yusuf, seeing as he was in no position to resist the mighty Haidar weakly accepted the installation of his younger brother to the throne.

​

In 1120 Sultan Haidar captured the Ghanan capital of Wagadu and by 1122 Haidar had declared war on the Hammadid Emirate over the control of Beni Yanni. It was not until 1124 from what records indicate that Yusuf had been approached by his distant cousin and Shiek of Orania, Berkan Ibn Mennad Almoravid, about a plot on the life of Sultan Haidar. Haidar had spurned Berkan by not allowing the capable Berkan onto his council. Resentful, Berkan had assembled enough of those sympathetic to his cause to put into action his master plan. Berkan seeing Yusuf as a natural ally approached him seeking monetary support for the plot. Yusuf jumped at the chance as Berkan had assured him that his involvement in the plot would not be implicated.


In the early morning of the 4th of November 1124 while Sultan Haidar was tending to his war horse in the sables around Beni Yanni an enormous explosion erupted from what scholar believe was a manure fueled improvised explosion. Haidar was instantly killed. The untimely death of Haidar would leave the throne to his eldest son Haidar II, at the time only 8 years of age.

​

With a the threat of 8 year regency looming and vassal support waning for the young Sultan, Yusuf is put into a very precarious situation...

 

[Populace]

Chapter 7 - The Second Fitna

Many scholars argue that the peaceful abdication of Yusuf II 1117 only further reinforced the argument that he was not fit to lead a Sultanate of such grandeur as that of the Almoravid Sultanate. Likening the usurpation of Haidar as that to the orignial usurpation of Abu-Bakr by Yusuf I in 1068. Other scholars argue that the reclamation of the throne by Yusuf II boasts more similarity to the events of the first Fitna as, both leaders shared the namesake 'Yusuf' and both had used their considerable power base in Marrakech to forcefully press their claim. Regardless of historical recurrence phenomenon, Yusuf II had resolved to retake his claim as Sultan of the Almoravids.

In December of 1124 Yusuf sent an ultimatum to the court of Haidar II. Haidar's regent at the time, Emir Suqut Barghawatid of Tangier, viciously attacked Yusuf's ultimatum and declared him an enemy to the Sultanate. Thus begins the Second Fitna. While Yusuf II boasted a sizeable levy from his personal
demesne he would still need to reinforce with mercenary bands.

The fighting was fierce as the majority of the holdings directly held by young Sultan Haidar II were located in the region of Sous. The actual county of Sous would be seized by Yusuf's army in 1127 but fighting in the desert counties of Draa and Ifni proved considerably more difficult. The first battle of the war would be fought in 1129 at the Battle of Taghaza where 9000 Haidar loyalist soldiers faced off against Yusuf's enormous mercenary army.

It was a crushing defeat for the loyalist army, being cut down to just half of their original force. The loyalist armies would then retreat deeper into the Sahara, undoubtedly seeking refuge in the demesne of Emir Yeh'lem I of Timbuktu. Not much later in the latter half of 1129, Yusuf's vast fortune would be depleted due to his bankrolling of huge amounts of mercenaries. In an effort to raise funds without incurring too many loans Yusuf sold off a holding to Grand Headmaster Muhammad Aftasid of the Arsiyah order in Safi for a measly 100 ducats. Yusuf would then disband many of the mercenaries that he had bankrolled in an effort to not have his finances collapse. While a risky move Yusuf was assured the bulk of the loyalist armies had already been crushed by his commanders.

In 1130 Yusuf's eldest son and preferred heir, Yahya ibn Yusuf Almoravid would die under suspicious circumstances leaving the throne of the Almoravid's in the hands of Prince Maziba Ibn Yusuf Almoravid.

The Second Fitna would end in early 1131, nearly 7 years since the onset of the conflict. Yusuf II had emerged victorious and had reclaimed his seat as Sultan of the Almoravid Sultanate.

The second Rule of Yusuf II however would be cut short in 1133 as he died at the age of 51. Historical consensus is that he died from complications pertaining to his weight, as he became renown for his size and girth, while many contemporary scholars and thinkers of the time cited his death as a result of impiety and gluttony.

 

[Populace]

Chapter 8 - Sultan Maziba 'the Noble' Ibn Yusuf Almoravid

Sultan Maziba was a strong willed and ambitious man who is recalled to have a stature befitting of his domineering personality. Maziba however was not without his faults. Maziba was known throughout the realm as having a fiery temper oft growing horrendously irate with those that had annoyed him or failed in their mission. Many first and second hand accounts state that Maziba seemed to as though not abide by any moral constraints when making his decision regarding the governance of the realm, oft foregoing justice in favor of strengthening his own agenda. Continuing, Maziba also had a flair for the extravagant. Hosting lavish parties and feasts, which despite his fiery temper, proved to make him more than sociable to those who had remained in his grace.

​

To understand the success of Maziba is to understand the atmosphere surrounding his education as a young child. Under the early reign of Yusuf II many military commanders found themselves with a severe lack of war to preside over. Many commanders fell into decadence and impious behavior as a result of their new found free time, some becoming disillusioned and leaving for employment in other realms. One commander however found employment and meaning tutoring the children of the court. That man was Ramadan Ibn Ramadan Mdinid.

Ramadan had made a name for himself within the court due to his great understanding of military strategy, his insight into effective governance and coupled with his relatively agreeable disposition, made him an influential force in the court upon his own accord. Ramadan was selected as the tutor of Yahya and Maziba on a whim of Yusuf II in an effort to eliminate the inconvenience of having to deal with his children himself. Ramadan claimed lineage from the original Lamtuna tribe of Abu-Bakr and Yusuf I. Ramadan would grow up in the harsh environment of the Adrar plateau and would further demonstrate his skill during the battle of Taghaza during the Second Fitna. As court tutor Ramadan would institute much of the struggles he experience as a youth in the education of Yahya and Maziba. Educating both in ways of war, horsemanship, swordsmanship and strategy. Ramadan's tutelage was harsh but wholly restrained at times necessary. Ramadan's belief, was that if men did not face struggle in their formative years they would become soft, decadent and unfit to take on mantles of great responsibility. A quote surmised to have been used by Ramadan around this time, "
alnidal hu aleaysh" or "To struggle, is to Live", became a motto for the school of education that would be established upon his demise.

Maziba, who had been touched profoundly by the teachings of his tutor, helped to establish the Ramadanic school of education unto the court. From Maziba onward, every heir of the Almoravid Sultanate would be educated in a similar manner. As not only did it produce strong and capable heirs but also payed homage to the origins of the Almoravid dynasty and the cultural practices that had made them great.

After a few years of relative peace and stability Maziba ventured on to continue expansion of Almoravid power over Northern Africa. Starting in 1138 Maziba would attack Emir al-Mansur II Hammadid of the Emirate of Algeria. The Hammadids for many years had enjoyed strong rule over the regions of Kabylia, Mzab, Tahert and Alger. For many years the Hammadids would be the preminent power in the region but with the Rise of the Almoravids from the south the balance of power had tipped away from the Hammadids. At the end of 1146 Maziba had secured both coastal provinces of Beni Yanni and Al Djazair, as well as the mountainous county of Tahert to strengthen Almoravids positions on the border. The provinces of Beni Yanni and Al Djazair brought considerable wealth into the Almoravid Sutlanate. Al Djazair at the time being considered one of the more significant trading cities on the Mediterranean coast.

In 1144 a giant revolt in the Aftasid Sultanate of al-Andalus broke out of the tyranny of Sultan Yahya Aftasid. The civil war would end in 1148 with many of the southern iberian Shieks splintering off as independents.

​

Sultan Maziba wasted no time in expanding the Almoravid influence into Iberia. Maziba would drive his armies deep into Seville and subjugate many of the newly independent Emirs either through threat of force, or force itself. Maziba's Iberian campaign lasted until 1151 before the majority of the region of Seville had fallen under his control. During this period however the Aftasids had recuperated some of their losses and reorganized their armies.

Later that year the crowns of Leon and Castille would unite much to the dismay of the Sunni Sultanates of Iberia. However the crown of Galicia would promptly split off in 1152. Sultan Yahya, seeing the feldgling kingdom as defenseless began his invasion of Braganja. The Aftasid Sultanate had help considerable power in Iberia, power that rivaled even that of the Almoravid Sultanate. The Almoravids had endeavored ever since the rule of Yusuf I to expand their control over the Iberian peninsula and now Maziba was in the prime position to fulfill these ambitions. With Sultan Yahya's armies occupied in the North Maziba invaded the Aftasid enclave of Granada.

Maziba however greatly underestimated the Aftasid Sultan. In 1153 Sultan Yahya would march his soldiers across the al-Wadi al-Kabir river to attack Maziba's army stationed in Seville. Maziba was greatly outnumbered, nearly 2:1. However Maziba was aware of the tactical advantage he held as. The Aftasid army would be defenseless as they attempted to cross the river. Instead of retreating and forming up with reinforcements heading from across the Strait of Gibraltar in Algeciras, Maziba resolved to stand his ground.

What would be known as the battle of Utrera would be a stunning military and tactical victory for the Almoravid Sultanate. Sultan Maziba was able to defend the rivers edge until reinforcements of Algeciras had arrived to finally drive the Aftasid armies back across the al-Wadi al-Kabir.

The Battle of Almonte would follow only a few months after and again would see a Sultan Maziba leading his troops to victory. By 1154 Maziba would have totally exhausted the Aftasids forcing them to secede ownership over the county of Granada. The remainder of Maziba's reign would be unremarkable as the Sultan had depleted much of his manpower resources and focused rather on efficiently governing the newly expanded realm. A border scuffled in the east with the Hammadids did see the addition of the county of Ashir into the Almoravid realm. Sultan Maziba would rule until his death in 1174, he woudl die a natural death at the age of 67.

The year was now 1174 and the landscape of Europe and the Middle East had changed drastically over the 100 years from the Rule of Yusuf to Maziba. In 1126 Christian Crusaders won a decisive victory against the Fatimid Caliphate, establishing the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem under King Uanios Torchitoriu de Ugunale.

In 1144 the expansive Tsardom of Rus would dissolve into the Kingdoms of Vladimir and Kiev, both ruled over by those of the Rurikid Dynasty.

In 1159 the Kingdom of Brittany fought for its freedom against the tyranny of King Arnoul de Brienne of France. Decades later the Crowns would split into the independent Kingdoms of Brittany in the North and Aquitaine in the south.

In 1167 Fatimid influence would almost be entirely snuffed out as they were forced deeper into Nubia. A successful Crusade had established the Christian Kingdom of Egypt under Queen Henrike Chatenois.

Christian domination of the Levant and Egypt greatly weakened the power of Muslims in the region and effectively placing the Almoravids as the preeminent Muslim power in North Africa. Byzantine expansion into Syria and Arabia also significantly damaged Seljuk domination of Persia and the Middle East with the Byzantines blocking Seljuk access to the Mediterranean. With the ineffective rule of the Isma'ili Fatimids and Sunni Seljuks many smaller hersesies began to rear their heads across the Muslim world. Denouncing the dominant sects as weak and calling for the overthrow of their leaders. Luckily the relative strength and stability of the Almoravid Sultanate and their adherence to puritan Maliki teachings deterred any major heresies from gaining traction within the Maghreb.

 

[Populace]

Chapter 9 - Sultan Yusuf 'the Brave'

The Death of Sultan Maziba was a great blow to the Sultanate. An exceptionally grand ruler who had brought the Almoravids great prestige and even greater power. Despite his greatness Maziba's succession was less than ideal. His son Maziba ibn Maziba while alive, had suffered from a debilitating bout of lovers pox. The court physician at the time had determined his conditions was so critical he would have to undergo experimental treatment. Maziba II was rendered a eunuch. This caused Maziba II such great distress he fell into a crippling depression rendering him incapable of ascending to the throne.

​

Instead, Maziba II's eldest son Yusuf III ibn Maziba would inherit. At 10 years of age Yusuf had been educated in the traditional Ramadanic fashion and had enjoyed great success under the tutelage of many of the finest commanders the Sultanate had to offer. Yusuf was diligent in his studies and excelled in his education in swordsmanship.

​

Yusuf III's rule was not without its difficulties however. After the impressive rule of Maziba many ambitious and treacherous vassals would surely see this as an opportune moment to increase their influence in the Sultanate as the regency scrambled to maintain the status quo. Corruption ran rampant throughout the Sultanate as money was stolen from the coffers of the Sultanate and region Emirs exerted greater autonomy upon their rule. To worsen matters, Yusuf's father Maziba had committed suicide a few months after the ascension of his son. Despite his inability to competently rule, the imposing presence of Maziba, despite his deficiencies, in the throne room of his son granted some degree of legitimacy to the young Sultans rule. However without Maziba II's influence the realm would soon devolve into open rebellion.

In 1174 an ultimatum spearheded by Emir Raf Muyahid of Granada demanded the the demesne of Yusuf be limited, namely be granting the sheikdom of Anfa to Emir raf himself. Through whatever cajoling or manipulation Raf employed he had gained significant support for this demand, mainly in the peripheries of the Sultanate where the rulers enjoyed the greatest levels of autonomy. The regency naturally denied the ultimatum causing Emir Raf to raise his banner in rebellion in October of 1174.

​

The campaign against the rebellion focused in on the newly acquired holdings of Andalusia which had become the hotbed of rebel agitation. Qurtubah had remained loyal to the crown as the sheik at the time was on the frontier of Christendom and feared that by revolting it would leave him open to attack from the Christian Kingdom of Castille to the north. The rebel armies of Emir Raf moved in quickly to secure Qurtubah as it represented a beacon of resistance in the Rebels realm. The expansive Almoravid realm had made it increasingly difficult to organize a sizeable force at this time and much of the rebelling provinces saw little resistance until nearly two years into the rebellion. In spring of 1177 the now organized armies of the Almoravid loyalist quickly came to the city of Qurtubah which had been occupied by the rebels. The loyalist armies dealt a crushing blow to the rebel armies. The excellent armies of the Almoravids dealt 4x the casualties as that of the rebels.

​

By December of 1177 Emir Raf had sent a proposal of peace to the regency council. If the loyalist armies would lay down their arms Emir Raf would surrender and call off the rebellion without malice. The council scoffed at the proposal of a White Peace. The war against the rebels would continue until the capture of Granada in 1181. The four years between the battle of Qurtubah and the submission of Emir Raf saw devastating guerrilla warfare in the now untamed frontier of Andalusia. Christian and Muslim raiders alike would frequently make incursions into the war ravaged Almoravid lands securing what loot they could. In the end Emir Raf would surrender. The council, fearful that drastic action may only prove to further destabilize the Sultanate, had decided to be merciful on Emir Raf and he was spared execution but would remain imprisoned until final judgement could be determined.

In November of 1181 Sultan Yusuf III would undergoe his Coronation. Now at the age of 18 and despite many years of unstable regency, Yusuf had emerged a more than capable leader. Yusuf was known for taking his administrative tasks with great seriousness and shunning the sin of excess. Coming from a renowned line of leaders Yusuf shared the ambition of his Grandfather as well as his temper.

​

Yusuf began his reign by organizing many campaigns of expansion into the Iberian Peninsula and in the remainder of the Maghreb. In 1183 Sultan Muhammad Hilalid of Badajoz had fallen from his horse and broke his neck rendering him incapable. Yusuf saw an opportunity to strike at the weakened sultanate and quickly conquered the province of Niebla. There was little resistance as the armies of Badajoz were greatly outnumbered by those of the Almoravids. In a short two years the war was over and the council ceeded control of Niebla over to Yusuf.

​

The short yet effective campaign was a great victory for the young Yusuf attempting to find his footing as the ruler of the preminent power of Muslim western frontier. In 1185 a dispute over borders and a subsequent insult sent from the court of Emir Abdul-Aziz of Cordoba prompted an Invasion by the Almoravids. Despite little evidence over rightful claims to the region of Jaen the Almoraivds quickly routed the rather sizeable army of Abdul-Aziz and with the Battle of Huescar in 1188 the conquest of Jaen was complete.

​

With Yusuf III personally leading his troops and securing stunning victories for the Sultanate he quickly garnered the respect and loyalty of the court and his vassals. By his early thirties Sultan Yusuf III's word was considered law and no vassal dared to anger the Sultan. With the Iberian front stabilizing by 1193 Sultan Yusuf turned his focus to the East. In the late 1170's King Martino Morosini of Sicily had conquered the Emirate of Tunis, a historically and traditionally Muslim region. Wedged between the expanding Kingdom of Sicily and the Bulwark of western Islam, the Almoravids, was the Hammadid Emirate under Emir Anwa ibn Akzer. Yusuf, fearing that the mighty Kingdom of Sicily may endeavor to carve out more territory in the weak Hammadid Emirate, sent an envoy to offer Anwa protection in return for his allegiance. Despite good relations between the two rulers Anwa refused the offer of vassalage.

​

As the envoy returned an anecdote gives us a humorous exchange between Yusuf and the envoy. Legend says that as the envoy relayed Emir Anwa's decision Yusuf ordered the Envoy to return to Anwa and restate to original offer. The Envoy confused asked Sultan Yusuf how he should achieve in persuading Emir Anwa if he had failed before. Yusuf then added that "because you shall have my armies and I behind you." Yusuf armies marched on Bejaija in 1193. Emir Anwa was powerless to resist the Almoravid advance in in little over a year he surrendered to Sultan Yusuf's demands.

​

By 1194 Sultan Yusuf's daring campaigns and military prowess had expanded the Almoravid borders considerably and subjugated the remaining independent Emirates of the maghreb and secured his claim to the southern Iberian Peninsula. Sultan Yusuf had earned the monicker 'the Brave' as his prowess as a commander, skill in personal combat, and propensity to fight alongside his front line soldiers made him a man of legend within the Sultanate. However as the borders of the Almoravid Sultanate grew, he soon found himself sharing borders with Infidels. The Christian Kingdom of Castille had by 1194 exerted a majority of control over central Iberia and boasted an army that could contend with the might of the Almoravids. To the east the ambitious King Martino of Sicily desecrated Muslim lands with his invasion of Tunis. Farther east the Crusader Kingdoms of Egypt and Jerusalem spit in the face of all Muslims as the Christian faith spreads like cancer to traditionally Muslim lands. And above all the greatest insult, the Byzantine control over Mecca and Medina being the greatest blow the Muslim faith. The inability of the Seljuks backed by the remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate resulted in a loss of faith among the majority of the Muslim orthodoxy in their ability to defend the faith and by 1200 the Abbasid Caliphate would be dissolved after no longer being recognized as the rightful claimants to the title of Caliph. No longer would Yusuf be warring against the smaller and disorganized muslim states of the Maghreb and Andalusia, in the coming years he would battle some of the greatest powers in all of Christendom.

The Almoravid realm circa 1194

The Christian Realms that make a very mockery of the Islamic faith​

 

[Populace]

Chapter 10 - The Scourge of Christianity

In 1190 the Emirate of Cordoba was split between the mighty Almoravid Sultanate and the Kingdom of Castille under King Fadrique II Jimena. After nearly 100 years the landscape of Iberia had shifted drastically. No longer were there a gaggle of petty rulers squabbling over counties. By the cusp of the 13th century larger nations had emerged to stake their claims on the peninsula. The Almoravid holdings in the south and the Hilalid Sultanate of Valencia on the eastern coast. The Christian Kingdom of Aragon sat in Aragon proper. The Kingdom of Castille emerged as the preeminent Christian Kingdom of the Peninsula. In 1187 a mob of christian peasants had banded together and overthrown their Muslim Abbadid rulers. The leader of the revolt, the legendary Mem Mendes would go on to reestablish the Kingdom of Galicia.

With control of the Maghreb now cemented under the Almoravid banner Sultan Yusuf was now faced with expanding the Sultanate into Christian held lands. In 1195 the Kingdoms of Castille and Aragon attacked the Hilalid Sultanate. Yusuf, unimpressed by the abilities of Sultan Hilal had made the grave decision to not intervene in the war. Rather, Yusuf saw the Castillian preoccupation with the Hilalid's as an opporunity to launch an invasion into Calatrava and La Mancha.

The invasion was a resounding success. In 1197 much of southern Castille had fallen under the occupation of the Almoravid armies. In 1197 King Fadrique attempted a desperate attack on Almoravid forces at the Battle of Calatrava.

Despite the bravery of the Christians the loss at Calatrava saw the end of Christian dominion over Calatrava and La Mancha. Out of the ashes of war Sultan Yusuf's brother Maziba was granted the title of Emir of Cordoba.

In spring of 1197 Sultan Yusuf sent an ultimatum to Sultan Hilal. Submit to Almoravid rule or be forced to submit. Sultan Hilal, coming fresh off the defeat against Castille and Aragon, in debt and nearing deaths door at the age of 54, despite being well known for his cowardice, either through sheer stubbornness or idiocy, perhaps seeing it as a divine call against that which he saw unjust, refused the ultimatum.

In the summer of 1200 after years of geurilla fighting in the hills and mountains of Valencia, Sultan Hilal submitted to the Almoravid demands. Yusuf, seeing Hilal's last stand as somewhat admirable, in a rare show exhibited mercy upon the disgraced Sultan. Sultan Hilal was allowed to keep his title of Sultan and in turn submitted as a tributary to the Almoravid Sultanate.

With his victory against the Christian Kingdoms of Iberia and his borders secured, Yusuf celebrated with a grand Furusiyya. However this celebration was merely a distraction while Yusuf and his generals devised their plans to liberate Tunis from the Infidel rule of King Martino of Sicily.

The year was 1205 and surely the news of the defeat of the Castillians would have reached the ears of Europe at large. By fall of that same year Yusuf and his armies had made multiple incursions into Christian Tunis, raiding Christian keeps and with assistance from Barbary Corsairs in Al Djazair Sicilian merchant vessels had been plundered. Almoravid raiding parties had attacked mainly the interior of Tunis at Medjerda and Kairouan, retreating into the mountains of Constantine and Tebessa as the army of Tunis began organizing their counterattack. By 1206 King Martino had enough of the muslim raiders. Organizing a Christian coalition of Sicily, the Holy Roman Empire, the Crusader Kingdom of Egypt and funding and mercenaries from the pope himself, the first real battle of war occurred at the battle of El Khroub.

A small raiding force of 1500 muslims had attacked a local Sicilian garrison. The garrison's commander at the time, Gennaro di Napoli, frustrated from months of muslim hit and run tactics, sallied from the fort with a force of nearly 9000 men and chased down the raiders into the mountains of Constantine. There an Almoravid army of 17,000 lay in wait for an ambush. Gennaro had stumbled directly into a trap and his armies suffered greatly. His force numbering little more than 8000 was slaughtered and little more than 2000 of the original force was able to retreat out of the mountain pass.

With the defeat of Gennaro, King Martino had no other choice but to move soldiers from coastal Tunis into the interior. Despite the reinforcements from the HRE and Egypt the Almoravids quick moving light cavalry utilizing hit and run tactics chipped away at the Christians armies whose reliance on heavy infantry and heavy cavalry proved ill equipped to handle the desert warfare. The german soldiers particularly had difficulties in the desert, many succumbing to dehydration and disease. After a series of defeats in the land surrounding Tunis the Christian armies had retreated back to Sicily allowing the Almoravid's to seize the city of Mahdia. The capture of this city was a considerable blow to the Christians and by 1208 they had abandoned their North African holdings to the Almoravid's.

In the early months of 1210 word reached the Almoravid court of a steppe warrior slowly uniting the warring clans. At the time an amusing story, Yusuf disregarded the ominous warning as he set his sights on the Christian Kingdom of Egypt.

For nearly 50 years the Egypt, once the seat of the mighty Fatimid Caliphate, had been ruled over by the Christian infidels. By 1211 the Kingdom however had fallen into hard times. The death of Johann Vratislavid in 1208 left the Kingdom to 13 year old Hesso. The squabbling of powerful vassals also proved to further limit the power of the crown. Needless to say the mighty crusader Kingdom that had once sat on Cairo was no more. With Egyptian involvement in the Almoravid war for Tunis, Yusuf had assured that there would be little resistance as the Egyptian levies had already been devastated.

In 1211 Yusuf had his armies move into the secure the Duchy of Syrte. Syrte excluding its coastal cities was little more than a vast stretch of desert. If Almoravid ambitions were to stretch farther east securing the desert of Syrte would be a necessity, allowing the free movement and station of soldiers in the county of Ajadabiya for further incursion into Barqa and Cyrenaica.

Just as Yusuf had anticipated, there was little resistance from Egyptian armies and by fall of 1212 all Egyptian forces had fled from the desert. Yusuf's armies as they entered the cities of Syrte and Ajadabiya were celebrated by the Muslim inhabitants who had feared that they would be forced to convert or expelled by their Christian overlords if they were to continue unchecked.

In 1216 Sultan Yusuf III ibn Maziba Almoravid would pass from the mortal plain at the age of 52. Sultan Yusuf 'the Magnificent' would be remembered fondly for his stand against the Christian hordes and their invasions of traditionally Muslim lands. After decades of successful Christian wars against the Muslims Yusuf represented a shifting in the tides. The Christians had grown complacent and comfortable with the holdings in the Holy Lands. The Almoravid's very origins and existence was one born of struggle and blood shed. Many Maghrebi aligned historians fervently perpetuate the duality of these two forces. The honorable and ordained struggle of the Almoravids against seeming insurmountable odds against the decadent infidels who had grown fat off of this spoils and toils of the oppressed Muslims. Little did Yusuf know however, that his successful conquests would pave the way for one of the greatest conquerors of the middle ages.

 

[Populace]

Chapter 11 - Calm Before the Storm

The Almoravid Realm in the early 13th century

​

The rule of Yusuf IV is oft overshadowed by his father and subsequent rulers. Sultan Yusuf represents a slight reversion to the decadent lifestyle of Yusuf II. Yusuf III's conquests had resulted in a significant strain on the resources of the Sultanate. Most noteably was the demand for great warriors, generals, and thinks who were brought to the front lines by Yusuf III. Due to their demand elsewhere the court of Marrakech had been bled dry of all influential thinks and the young Yusuf IV was mainly left to his own devices. Unsurprisingly, with his father away on conquest Yusuf enjoyed great authority over the court, oft using his position as a means to indulge himself. Many anecdotal primary sources report Yusuf IV of having a distinct, 'deficiency of personality and morals'. Slothful, envious, above all Yusuf was declared impious by the court imams and reportedly suffered from great delusions, talking in tongues, and communicating with temporal spirits. Yusuf, having made childhood friends with a christian slave boy developed a sympathy for their plight under the rule of the Almoravids, much to the greater dismay of the Imams. Christians, especially in Andalusia, had received a great level of freedom under the taifas of years past. However with the invasion of the Maliki Almoravids and their puritanical Islam, Christian experience in Andalusia became oppressive as they were put under greater scrutiny and coercion to convert.

Yusuf IV, lacking the presence of his father, immediately became a target for conspiring vassals. Not long after his ascension an ultimatum from four vassals demanded a redistribution of Yusuf's lands. Yusuf, taking great offence, had the hands of the envoy who delivered it severed and the ultimatum returned to the vassals, still in the hands of the envoy. Revolt promptly ensued.

​

The revolt was meager as many supporting vassals had backed out of the plot due to the harsh treatment received by the envoy but most notably the revolt was spearheaded by Emir Yunes Snassenid of Tlemcen. Yunes proved to be an almost polar opposite of Yusuf IV. Yunes exhibition many favorable traits revered by the church. He was forthwith with his devotion to islam, toiled relentlessly in the administration of his realm and always was a patron to the less fortunate. Many scholars believe that Emir Yunes' demands weren't holy unjust. As crown possession surrounding the city of Marrakech had slowly been consolidated and by 1215 the lands of the Almoravid crown extended from the edge of the Sous valley to the mountains of Meknes. Some argue that Yunes wished to see the balance of power returned to the vassals. Further more many cite Yusuf's heinous act against the innocent as further strengthening Yunes' platform in terms of curbing crown authority.

The revolt however was crushed shortly after in the winter of 1217. Yunes and his conspirators had their titles stripped, lands divided, and were ultimately executed by Yusuf. In the spring of 1220 Yusuf IV would have his first and only child, the legendary Almoravid hero, Maziba ibn Yusuf Almoravid or as he is more commonly referred to, Ptolemee the Great.

Legend foretells of a great prophecy regarding the birth of Ptolemee and that the first night of Ptolemee's birth Sultan Yusuf had complained of vivid hallucinations, more vivid that what he had previously experienced, to his court phsyician.

​

In 1221, to placate the court Imams who had begun talks of invoking takfir against the impious and arguably deranged Yusuf and having Yusuf's uncle Emir Maziba of Cordoba usurp the throne, Yusuf declared a holy war for the Emirate of Barqa on the western frontier of the Kingdom of Egypt. Led by the competent rulership of King Thomas Vratislavid, following a disastrous civil war from 1218-1220, the Kingdom of Egypt was unable to resist the sheer strength of the Almoravid horde. By December of 1222 the invasion was over and the armies of Egypt retreated to the safety of Alexandria.

​

In 1223, after refusing to pay the year tribute that his father had been forced to pay, Sultan ya'far Hilalid now defensless, had his holdings in valencia conquered by the King of Aragon, King Guerau III de Barcelona.

​

In fall of 1224 the young King Torquato III Morosini of Sicily, grandson of the detestable King Martino, declared holy war to reclaim the province of Tunis. Torquato, young, ambitious and brave sought to redeem his families name by avenging his grandfathers defeat at the hands of Yusuf III.

​

Torquato, attempting to not repeat the mistakes of his grandfather attempted to cut off the main Almoravid force in Marrakech. Unfortunately a violent storm had separated the young Kings two main armies, one landing near El Rif and the other landing closer to the coast of Safi. Despite being separated King Torquato ambushed a sizable Almoravid column at the Battle of El Hajeb which saw a stunning military victory for the Christian armies. The Almoravid army, unprepared and disorganized suffered immense casualties for a force that greatly outnumbered the enemy.

​

With the Almoravid armies routed, King Torquato began his siege of Fes. If Torquato were to capture the great city of Fes from the Almoravids it would provide a crushing blow to Almoravid morale as since the reign of Yusuf I, no Almoravid interior holding had been seized by enemy forces. Many scholars postulate that if King Torquato had succeeded in his invasion that faith in Yusuf IV's rule might have crumbled and vassal dissension may have destroyed the Sultanate from within.

However, as the routed Almoravid armies reorganized and with the enemies location determined a successful counter attack was launched. The Second battle of El Hajeb handed victory to the Almoravids and the Sicilian armies had no choice but to abandon the siege of Fes.

​

The Sicilians would never recover from the defeat at the Second Battle of El Hajeb, continuously hunted down and eventually expelled from North Africa proper.

In fall of 1226 Almoravid armies would set sail and invade the Island of Sicily. With the aid of corsair ships the Almoravid army was ferried to the shores of Palermo where the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily was seized. With his armies crushed and himself demoralized, the young King Torquato surrendered to the Almoravids.

In 1231, after growing resentment over the mismanagement of the realm and Yusuf's general madness, a plot on the Sultans life succeeded as a snake had been placed in his bed. Sultan Yusuf IV would be assassinated at the age of 35 leaving the throne to the young Ptolemee at the age of 10.

 

[Populace]

Chapter 12 - A Dance with Destiny part 1

Now what will be discussed in this chapter contains some of the most widely debated subject matter in Maghrebi history. While some paints Ptolemee as a character of near mythical status, others paint him as nothing more than a ruthless opportunist. Much of Ptolemee's early life is anecdotal and comes from the renowned secondary source; روايات شخصية لبطل الإسلام العظيم الفاتح بطليموس الكبير (riwayat shakhsiat libatal al'islam aleazim alfatih bitilimus alkabir) or Personal accounts of the great hero of Islam, The conqueror Ptolemee the Great by 17th century Islamic scholar Abdul-Wazir ibn Abed al Isbiliya.

a collection of legends and myths surrounding the childhood of Ptolemee
​

Ptolemee, born Maziba II, would take the throne after the presumed murder of his father at the age of 10. Ptolemee had proven himself in his youth to be strong willed and determined. Often seen leading children of the court on adventures throughout the city of Marrakech. Despite his natural leadership being appreciable at a young age Ptolemee was not without the famous temper of the Almoravid dynasty which only proved to showcase young Ptolemee's skill in combat. Ptolemee is rumored to have been much larger and imposing compared to boys of his age, although all of this is merely anecdotal and cannot be taken at face value due to the cultural propensity to embellish the reign of Ptolemee. Ptolemee was also a capable student, taking his studies particularly serious and is noted to have taken to the study of his predecessors and their military campaigns with much interest.

​

In 1236 Ptolemee reached the age of 16 when it was decided by the council he was competent enough to fully embrace his responsibilities as Sultan. Ptolemee organized a grand coronation in conjunction for a Furusiyya tournament. The Furusiyya, while much to the enjoyment of the court and the peasants, had a much different function in the eyes of Ptolemee. The Almoravid tournaments had become renown in the muslim world for attracting the greatest and most skilled of fighters, such as Aghilas 'the Brave' and Tabat 'the Strong'. Individuals Ptolemee would recruit for his coming conquests. The Furusiyya was a success, many great warriors flocked to Marrakech to compete for glory and fame and upon the resolution of the tournament many of those great warriors were offered positions of command in the Almoravid army.

​

Meanwhile as Ptolemee consults and strategizes with his generals and prepares his armies for war, the Byzantines rejoice in the east. Installed by faction demand, Basileus Herkaleios III Doukas is herald by the greek people as a great ruler who shall bring great glory to the stagnating empire.

Even farther west on the edges of the islamic world the mighty Mongol Empire under Khagan Tolui Borjigin, son of Genghis Khan, has subjugated the entire steppes and just succeeded in his invasion of Persia. How far will the mighty conquers of the steppes push into Islamic lands? With perhaps the mightiest army Europe has ever seen there may be no one to oppose the encroaching mongol horde.

​

Ptolemee's education in war, his research into his ancestors and his fascination with the Muslim empires that encompassed the entirety of the Islamic world mixed together to form the perfect storm of ambition. Ptolemee saw the Almoravid's position as unique among the world. Having a strong defensive center in the Maghreb as well as invaders inhabiting rightful Muslim lands would prove the most justifying frontier to push into in order to have Ptolemee's name remembered and cursed throughout all of Christian history.

In the early months of 1237 the Almoravid army pushes east towards Egypt. Ptolemee personally leading his troops through the harsh Libyan desert. Ptolemee forcing his men to march some 14 hours a day through the oppressive heat. Days on end the men marched in the sea of sand with very little supplies, assuredly many of the weaker men must have succumbed to the brutality of the march, but no accounts of mass desertion of losses of attrition were recorded. It is said a mutiny almost erupted before Ptolemee, rallied his men with a stirring speech just outside of senoussi.

King Edmar Vratislavid, the Christian King of Egypt, upon hearing of the imminent invasion mustered all the men and support he could, sending out missives requesting support from various Christian realms (even the Byzantines) but his calls would go unanswered. In May of 1238 as the Egyptian Army preemptively struck at Tobruk and Cyrencia. Ptolemee's massive army of nearly 16,000 brave muslims pushed back the Egyptian armies from Cyrencia at the Battle of Cyrene. It was a devestating loss for the Egyptians where as they lost nearly 8,000 to the Almoraivds 600. Using the terrain to his advantage Ptolemee struck at every angle quickly encircling the Egyptians while one column was able to barely break through and retreat.

Near the end of 1238 the Egyptians reorganized and attempted to sneak a small army through the desert in Senoussi. Ptolemee's scouts who had been diligent watching over the lands had alerted their general to the armies advance. Ptolemee met them at the massacre of Jalu where he had made sure not to make the same mistake twice. Attacking in the dead of night and ambushing the tired Egyptian soldiers, the entire Egyptian army was slaughtered and those that surrendered were killed on the orders of Ptolemee himself supposedly stating, "the blood of these infidel warriors shall water the sands and from their blood great prosperity and life shall spring forth in the desert". Ptolemee's skills as an oration were only second to his prowess as a warrior.

By summer of 1240 after nearly 2 years of vicious fighting in the Libyan desert Ptolemee's grand army had reached Alexandria and the western bank of the Nile. The capture of Alexandria in July of 1240 spelled the end for the Egyptian Crusader State. With its armies defeated and the horde of the Mohammedans at their gates, King Edmar fled to the safety of the Kingdom of Sicily.

Abandoned by their liege and with Ptolemee quickly asserting his authority over the Nile many of the Christian landed nobles banded together for a final last stand against the muslim invasion. The revolt, led by Lulach Ua Cheinnselaig (claimant of the Scottish throne). The rebellion, although mighty, was at a great disadvantage as the entirety of Ptolemee's army was now stationed in Egypt along the Nile. The two armies eventually met at the Battle of al-Badaqun where Lulach and Ptolemee would meet in personal combat.

The poor drunkard had little chance against the master swordsman Ptolemee is revered to be.

Lulach's son soon took on the mantel as leader of the revolt. Paul Ua Cheinnselaig is remembered as being an evil and deformed villain who led the already devastated armies of the revolt to their death against the overwhelming strength of Ptolemee.

The revolt soon lost steam as the rebel stronghold of Faiyum was siezed by Ptolemee who then cemented his authority of Egypt by March of 1241 at the young age of 20.

At the time of the conquest of Egypt Ptolemee was still widely known as Maziba II. Upon his crowning as the Sultan of Egypt is when the moniker of "Ptolemee" (from the arabized Ptolemy) arose. It is thought to be derived from the Ptolemic Dynasty that ruled Egypt in antiquity following the death of Alexander the Great.

With his path to the Middle East secured Ptolemee began planning his next conquest. For many years the Byzantines had held land in the Levant as well as Mecca itself with Medina only recently being liberated by the Seljuks. Byzantine Possession of Mecca had long been an insult to the Muslim community and Ptolemee saw it as an opportunity to further justify his expansion. In spring of 1241 Ptolemee began his invasion of the Byzantine holdings in Arabia. Ptolemee's initial invasion would mark the beginning of one of histories longest and most infamous geopolitical rivalries in all of history. By 1241 under the rule of the great Herakleios III the Byzantines boasted one, if not the largest army and best trained army in all of Europe.

​

Herakleios, in a spark of brilliance, issued a decree with saw the commmission of grand mediterrenean fleet. The fleet was composed of war ships, merchant vessels, and contracted privateers to help transport the Byzantines massive army. Herakleios, wary of the Almoravids skill in desert warfare demonstrated by the wars with Sicily and Egypt, resolved to adopt a different strategy. In a famous quote Herakleios is reported to have made use of the age old adage; "To kill a snake, you must cut off their head."

The Byzantine fleet set course for Marrakech. With the majority of Ptolemee's army in the east and busy slogging through the deserts of Arabia, Herakleios was assured by his generals that Marrakech would fall long before Ptolemee ever reached Mecca. Herakleios was also assured that if Marrakech were to fall, the capital and seat of power for the Almoravids, the Sultanate would crumble around Ptolemee as infighting and disillusion in his rule erupted. Ptolemee however would receive word of the massive fleet from some Barbary Corsairs who had passed by it on their way to the newly conquered Egypt. Ptolemee who had just captured the Byzantine garrison in Al'Aqabah turned his army around. Using his diplomatic prowess and the riches of the Almoravid Sultanate, Ptolemee hired an impressive corsair fleet to transport his armies back to Marrakech.

The Byzantines forces, which had been split into three smaller armies, began sieging pivotal provinces such as the city of Fes and the coastal province of Safi. These smaller armies were surprised by the armies of Ptolemee and crushed.

It wasn't until Herakleios main army had reached Anfa would the two great leaders of their time come face to face. Herakleios, intending to regroup with his smaller forces was ambushed by Ptolemee's forces at the battle of Mazaghan in Anfa. The Basileus, little more a fighter than he was an administrator, was ill equipped for his fight against Ptolemee. Despite his status in the Byzantine Empire, Herakleios was struck down by Ptolemee with no more grace awarded to him as that of a mere peasant.

As news reached the Byzantine Empire a new Basileus needed to be elected. The Byzantine Empire was thrown into chaos. The Empire, which was well known for its frequent civil wars and court intrigue was unable to appoint a new Basileus on the account of too many opposing interests. Instead it was decided that the disgraced Herakleios Kontostephanos, the Basielus who was forced to abdicate in favor of Herakleios Doukas, would usurp the throne.

By 1242 the entirety of the Byzantine armies would be expelled from North Africa and would fall back to Greece. With little resistance in the Arabian peninsula itself and a Byzantine civil war erupting in the east, Ptolemee had liberated Mecca by March of 1243.