Camels?

[DefenderofFuture]

But yeah, I assume you guys know more about the intricacies of the Camel in warfare than I do. Sorry I brought it up

[Geoffrey S]

Bit late, but when camels were used it was a rarity. They were extremely important throughout the Arabian peninsula, but not as mounts for battle - they were used as pack animals and for warriors to get to and from the battlefield. If they got directly involved it was usually chance. Those are the most important reasons for not including them.

Edit: just a quick quote from something I have lying around about Southern Arabia:

When in other contexts we find the expression 's1d/rkb "mounted warriors", who are clearly different from the cavalry, we must infer that they were mounted on camels; in early Arabic, a rakib without further specifications is assumed to be riding a camel. But the contexts do not suggest that camel-riders formed a distinct mehariste wing. It is more probably that, as was the custom in early central Arabia, riding camels were used by the whole army to ensure mobility, but in battle the riders dismounted to fight on foot. [...] Correspondingly, references to "men on foot" should not be taken to indicate a distinct infantry wing, but rather men not possessed of camels, who probably when on the march rode pillion behind one who did have a camel; this was also a common central Arabian custom.

[DefenderofFuture]

Geoffrey, that's a great quote, because I had read sources that mentioned "camel warriors", but that makes a LOT more sense than actually riding the camels to battle. Much like Dragoons from later European warfare who, rather than being actual mounted warriors, would dismount before battle. Thus, these guys who rode battles TO battle rather than IN battle is a very satisfying explanation. I know also that, of course, Camels were used in transport (and also for meat and milk), and that people would often switch to a horsey before battle was joined. I simply was protesting because I had read about camel warriors, but I just took the wrong interpretation of what a "Camel Warrior" was.

AKA, feel free to delete this thread, o powers that be. My complaint has been answered.