Yarmuk August 15 20 636 Strategic Context Beginning

Yarmuk August 15 -20, 636 Strategic Context Beginning in 622, Emperor Heraclius revitalizes the Byzantine Empire and conquers the Fertile Crescent of modern Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Syria from the empire’s longtime foes, the Sassanids. A decade later, Khald ibn al-Walid leads a dramatic invasion of these newly conquered lands. He destroys a Byzantine army and captures Damascus in 635 before another army can be hastily assembled, led by Vahan, to chase the Rashiduns out. Now the Rashiduns make their stand south of Damascus with their backs to the Arabian Desert; they are united by purpose and know that this could be their final chance to break out of the desert. Stakes + A Byzantine victory would reverse the gains of the Rashiduns and push them back into the Arabian Desert. + A Rashidun victory would establish control over the Fertile Crescent and permit further conquest to impose Muslim authority. By Jonathan Webb, 2009

Yarmuk, 636 Strength §Byzantines §Rashiduns §Vahan §Khalid ibn al-Walid § 25, 000 infantry § 15, 000 cavalry § 16, 000 infantry § 8, 000 cavalry §Well §Religiously motivated By Jonathan Webb, 2009

Western Eurasia c. 600

The battlefield is relatively flat and open, but contained on nearly all sides: the dry, steep Wadi ur-Ruqqad to the north, Nahr al-Allan tributary of the Yarmuk River to the west, and other gorges and river to the south and east off map. Possible egress routes include a bridge over the Wadi ur-Ruqqad to the north, ford across the Nahr al-Allan to the southwest, and open space to the northeast. Rashiduns (Khalid) Wadi ur-Ruqqad Plain of Yarmuk Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan

The first deploys day of battle a series of individual duels, that whichoperate are dominated by on their Rashidun champions. endsby thethe slaughter of his officers and his Khalid hisbegins forcewith in four separate divisions largely own. They are. Vahan backed Rashidun cavalry: one force’s morale by sending his frontline infantry to probe the Rashidun front. Vahan knows that he must use sheer weight of numbers along a crowded, broad for each flank, one for the center and another kept in reserve. Vahan deploys his force similarly in four separate division except that front to achieve at least one breakthrough which can then be exploited. Khalid recognizes the inferiority of his force and must exhaust the Byzantines before they are larger and each boast their own cavalry units. Vahan also keeps a sizeable cavalry reserve to the rear. even considering an attack. Vahan’s limited offensive features only moderate effort on both sides before dusk ends the action. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Wadi ur-Ruqqad Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Infantry Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

Thethe Rashidun wiveslaunches berate anda throw rocks at those arrivecenter at camp untilaggressively they return toattacking battle; they the battle just On secondsoldiers’ day, Vahan resolute assault; hewho pinsshamefully the Rashidun while therejoin Rashidun wings. in time to save their respective wings from complete destruction. Khalid then commits his cavalry reserve to restore his right wing before shifting Some infantry on these wings retreat to camp under pressure of the Byzantine attack. This forces each Rashidun wing to commit itsit over to restore his left wing. The Rashidun center counterattacks in concert with these restorative attacks and succeeds in nudging the Byzantine cavalry in a counterattack but they too retreat to camp, critically weakening both Rashidun wings. center back. Heavy but inconclusive fighting ensues along the original front until dusk begins to fall and Vahan must withdraw. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Wadi ur-Ruqqad Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Infantry Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

On the third day, Vahan launches another determined attack; this time he again pins the Rashidun center but focuses on the weakened Rashidun right wing and leaves their left wing unmolested. Khalid rejoices that his left wing can rest but must again commit his cavalry reserve merely to reestablish the original front. Casualties pile up on both sides but are significantly higher in the Byzantine ranks. Dusk and mutual exhaustion again end the day’s action. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Wadi ur-Ruqqad Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Infantry Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

On the fourth Vahan again seekstotorestore shatterthe Rashidun byright. breaking throughthe at success one pointofand exploiting another onceis. Khalid his. Byzantines reserves. deploy Vahan Through fierceday, fighting, Khalid is able original front on his Meanwhile, then Rashidun left wing divisions endedcommits when the attacks with his left The wing. Rashidun divisions archers while advancing with his two right wing divisions, which areistoknown wait until Khalid his reserves before launching their own their archers en two masse. are outranged and can do nothing but retreat. This as the “Daycommits of Lost Eyes” for the 700 Rashiduns who lose an attack. eye in Vahan’s begins. The well; his left-center division pushes through thethis opposing Rashidun division andare is only by acavalry reserves. Sensing the unfolding disaster this arrowplan barrage. Byzantine right wing divisions quickly exploit disorder and attack but they also contained tied down in slogging match which is balanced out when the immediately, Khalid orders a spoiling attack on the The Byzantine right wing to exhaustion throw themagain off balance delay any action by them. The desired effect is achieved as Rashidun women take up arms and join the battle. fightingtwo continues untildivisions dusk and force aand Byzantine disengagement. these divisions retreat a short distance and are in no state to carry out an attack. The situation is dangerous for Khalid as his entire force is engaged against a superior force. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Wadi ur-Ruqqad Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Infantry Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

Both sides take the fifth day to rest, masked by futile negotiations and challenges. The ranks of both forces have thinned greatly but is more noticeable in the Byzantine force which has been on the offensive, as is often the rule. On this day, Khalid decides that the Byzantine morale and ranks have been weakened enough to launch his first and hopefully only attack. He gathers all of his cavalry into a single, powerful strike group. Vahan still possesses fresh cavalry reserves which have yet to engage in battle. Whether they are held back for the chance to completely annihilate the Rashiduns in the pursuit of an anticipated battlefield victory or remain static due to major problems in the Byzantine chain of command is unclear. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Wadi ur-Ruqqad Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Infantry Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

In the. Byzantines night, Khalid detaches a unit to guard the bridgeroute over the wadi, opposing in a this case an abnormally river. Khalid opens his assault by The Inconclusive fighting are dismayed continues to among find their the escape infantry while blocked by Rashidun cavalry force. engage Theysteep, inbriefly thedry Byzantine attempt to rear. dislodge Thethem determined but are pinning the Byzantine front with his infantry and sweeping around Vahan’s left flank. Vahan also gathers a large cavalry group in reserve but it is Rashidun unable to cavalry and must areflee more themobile pursuing andmain harass Rashidun the heavier force. Byzantine The Byzantines cavalry are untilbottled they flee intothe a confined battle altogether. space where The Byzantine they fight unprepared tovaliantly respond decisively at nothing the time of attack and so the Byzantine left division disintegrates, exposing thetoleft-center division’s flank. infantry fight savagely but eventually buttry can to do escape across against the wadi assailment in desperation. from the front, Many left do and not make now rear; it across. they begin disengage and retreat. Byzantines (Vahan) 25, 000 infantry 15, 000 cavalry Wadi ur-Ruqqad Rashiduns (Khalid) Landmarks Byzantines Infantry Rashiduns Infantry Plain of Yarmuk Cavalry Camp Symbol guide Byzantines (Vahan) Nahr al-Allan Rashiduns (Khalid ibn al-Walid) 16, 000 infantry 8, 000 cavalry

Yarmuk, 636 Casualties & Aftermath Byzantines: Rashiduns: 18, 000 4, 000 or or 45% 16% Emperor Heraclius was understandably distraught by the decisive defeat which undid his conquests of the previous decade. The Rashiduns conquered Palestine and Syria soon after the defeat, and eventually the prized Byzantine province of Egypt. This battle marked only the beginning of the spread of Islam into Asia, Africa, and Europe. By Jonathan Webb, 2009

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2009