Almoravids or Almohads?

[Elmo]

Just started reading Medieval Warfare, edited by Maurice Keen. In it there are references to the Almoravids which appear to be the same as MTW's Almohads. I searched the forums for any posts on Almoravid but came up empty.

Any of the historians here know if Almoravid is more correct or is it just a matter of translation? As an aside, from my research I think Elmohead is more correct than either but I'm no expert.

[Alrowan]

here is where i can be a smart ass...

basically there was the almoravids and the almohads. They were not the same

the almoravids were the first moorish inhabitants of spain, thier dynasty lasted up until about 1150? (recalling off my head) later the almorvides dynasty was taken over by the almohads dynasty...

ill get some more info soon

[Alrowan]

ahh.. found some more info... the Umayyids conquered the arab holdings in spain, setting up the Umayyid Dynasty, basically the first muslim dynasty in Iberia.

After the Umayyids, the berbers took some power in spain (these people were still under the rule of the Fatimite Caliphate) It was in the mid 1000's that the caliphate power waned and the african holdings were lost.

The Almovrides were fanatics from senegal, who seized control in the power vaccum, and pushed south into africa as well. They were also known as the Murabits (hermits). They then moved north into spain, and settled there in the early 1100's.

so in truth, early almohads arent even right http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

moving on..

it was in about 1120 that a hermit in africa began to teach of unity again, and his followers were called Muwahhaids or Almohades. Basically they invaded the Atlas region of the Almovrides, and in 1146 they conquered seville, and basically thats how it all happened....

[kataphraktoi]

You forgot the mighty Alrowanids

[Elmo]

Alrowan

Thanks very much for this history lesson

Elmo

[Kraxis]

And at the same time we got an explanation of where the Muwahids and Murabitin come from... Nice

[Shahed]

very nice info http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Come to think of it Itehad I believ is the word from which Muwahid may be derived. I think it means unity in Arabic.

[Elmo]

After reading a bit further I am seeing references to the Almohads as well as Almoravids. Alrowan is spot on with his comments. There must be some references to the Elmoheads as well. I just need to keep reading...

[Bhruic]

Sounds like someone didn't read the description of the Almohads. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

At least, if you read the description of them for the Early period, it mentions the Almoravids, and gives a brief description of the difference between them.

Bh

[Elmo]

Guilty as charged. Will look next time I fire up the game which will be in a few minutes. Thanks.

[Alrowan]

heh.. i never read the description for almohads.. probably because i havent played them yet...

[Bhruic]

Well, don't feel bad, I've been playing the game for close to a month now, and I didn't look until yesterday. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I was trying to figure out who to play for a different game, settled on the French for some reason (probably just for the challenge), but read the descriptions for most of the available civilizations.

Bh

[Lord Krazy]

I have read many old manuscripts that refer to
the ELMOHEAD tribe.These were the followers of the
Great OLD ELMO
(or good old boy as his friends called him) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

What happened to this tribe is not certain.
Some say that one day they all got in their wagons
and went west.But who is to know for sure.

I hope this helps http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif