The Ayyubids were a relatively short lived dynasty (1171–1341) that is nonetheless famous because of Saladin. As a interesting side note, I once read that Saladin was actually more or less forgotten in the middle east outside of the minds of historical scholars, unlike Europe it will be hard to find any romantic ballad or story featuring Saladin. It was only during the colonial period were interest in Saladin increased mainly thanks to the enthusiasm of Europeans. And thus, any two bit mook can easily find sources make a passable attempt to recreate Saladin's army and add it to their favorite strategy game.
The Ayyubids came to power by usurping the Fatimid Caliphate after the death of the last Fatimid Caliph Al-'Āḍid in 1171. Saladin, the former vizier to the deceased Fatimid Caliph and a Kurdish fellow from Syria, expected a popular revolt, in the end besides the revolt of the loyal Sudanese guard, most Egyptians did not really seem to care about the Shiite caliph and were still mainly Sunnis. Thus the transition was relatively peaceful and the khutbah (Friday Prayer) was said in the name of the Abbasid Caliph without major incident.
Yellow was the dynastic color of the Ayyubids and this is reflected in some of the units.
Here is the unit list of the Ayyubids,
Ayyubid Bowman
Ayyubid Crossbowman
Ayyubid Guardsman
Ayyubid Heavy Cavalry
Ayyubid Heavy Footman
Ayyubid Maceman
Ayyubid Swordsman (Kurdish)
Ayyubid Axeman (Kurdish)
Ayyubid Horse Archer
The main difference between the Ayyubid army and the Fatimid army is that it has a much larger Kurdish and Turkish element to it and less of a Berber and black African element. While both the Fatimids and the Ayyubids employed Kurds, Turks, Berbers and Africans, they seemed to both favor some over the other. The Fatimids, being of Arab/Berber stock themselves favored Berbers and Africans, while the Ayyubids, being of Kurdish stock, favored Kurds and Turks.
Animation directions are inside of the zip.
Discussion Thread
The Ayyubids came to power by usurping the Fatimid Caliphate after the death of the last Fatimid Caliph Al-'Āḍid in 1171. Saladin, the former vizier to the deceased Fatimid Caliph and a Kurdish fellow from Syria, expected a popular revolt, in the end besides the revolt of the loyal Sudanese guard, most Egyptians did not really seem to care about the Shiite caliph and were still mainly Sunnis. Thus the transition was relatively peaceful and the khutbah (Friday Prayer) was said in the name of the Abbasid Caliph without major incident.
Yellow was the dynastic color of the Ayyubids and this is reflected in some of the units.
Here is the unit list of the Ayyubids,
Ayyubid Bowman
Ayyubid Crossbowman
Ayyubid Guardsman
Ayyubid Heavy Cavalry
Ayyubid Heavy Footman
Ayyubid Maceman
Ayyubid Swordsman (Kurdish)
Ayyubid Axeman (Kurdish)
Ayyubid Horse Archer
The main difference between the Ayyubid army and the Fatimid army is that it has a much larger Kurdish and Turkish element to it and less of a Berber and black African element. While both the Fatimids and the Ayyubids employed Kurds, Turks, Berbers and Africans, they seemed to both favor some over the other. The Fatimids, being of Arab/Berber stock themselves favored Berbers and Africans, while the Ayyubids, being of Kurdish stock, favored Kurds and Turks.
Animation directions are inside of the zip.
Discussion Thread
