Blades travelled a long way

Rivkin · 2nd August 2006, 05:59 PM

If my memory does not betray me, this Ibn Fadlan was a spy sent by arabs to the north, through the land of Khazars to the land of vikings (northern Russia). He left one of the best descriptions of viking's customs, especially a highly grafic of that of a viking burial.

On the other hand vikings were massively employed by Byzantine and even Georgian royalty, primeraly in their war against arabs; later Osman army initially consisted of a very large number of western and armenian mercenary troops. One can also find a lot of evidence of mamluks using western made swords (starting with military manuals).

I would greatly recommend another book by David Nicolle - arms and armour of the crusading era, Volume II (the east) - truly fantastic collection of images.

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2nd August 2006, 05:59 PM	#2
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	If my memory does not betray me, this Ibn Fadlan was a spy sent by arabs to the north, through the land of Khazars to the land of vikings (northern Russia). He left one of the best descriptions of viking's customs, especially a highly grafic of that of a viking burial. On the other hand vikings were massively employed by Byzantine and even Georgian royalty, primeraly in their war against arabs; later Osman army initially consisted of a very large number of western and armenian mercenary troops. One can also find a lot of evidence of mamluks using western made swords (starting with military manuals). I would greatly recommend another book by David Nicolle - arms and armour of the crusading era, Volume II (the east) - truly fantastic collection of images.