Umayyad Heavy Cavalry

The Umayyad Caliphs relied heavily on the Arabs of Syria or Ahl al Sham, they were known for their military prowess and discipline, they were mostly well known for their heavy cavalry modeled after the Greek Byzantine Cataphract, their old masters.

These powerful armored cavalry, led the charge across North Africa, Spain and even penetrated deep into Frankish territory. Arguably these fierce Arab horsemen who relied on lances and straight swords, influenced heavily the later heavy Frankish knights that would later fight for the Kingdom of Jerusalem.