Ahdath Militia

Islamic foot, prominent in the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Damascus. Classed as Hd(O) in DBM. See also Seljuqs in Syria.

Ahdath are mentioned on many occasions in ibn al-Qalanisi's Dhayl t¯ar¯ikh Dimashq.

1. In 1105 the Aleppean army of Ridwan includes the al-ahdath. In the battle with Tancred the Muslim foot hold their ground until the cavalry is routed (p70)

2. Tughtagin's attack on Ba'albek succeeds, both troops from the ahdath and garrison make their submission (p97).

3. Ridwan organises his army to resist Seljuq troops from Jezira and Iraq. The ahdath of the Batinis guard the city wall (p115).

4. The Atabeg Maudad is surrounded by an entourage of Dailamites, Turks, Khorasanis and ahdath (p140).

5. Ibn Badi, chief of the ahdath in Aleppo (and also described as the 'prefect'), purges the city of Batinis (p145).

6. Tughtagin's Damascene army incldes a great host of ahdath from Damascus as well as the ahdath of the Batiniya, noted for courage and gallantry (p175).

7. The governor of Aleppo earns the enmity of the ahdath who besiege him in the citadel. When Zanghi arrives, the governor is imprisoned and blinded (p183).

8. Zanghi's attack on Damascus is confronted by the 'askars and ahdath bristling with weapons (p234).

9. An attack on Aleppo by the Byzantines and Antiochenes is met by a considerable force of ahdath in a sortie. The ahdath gained the victory (p250).

10. Another attack by Zanghi on Damascus meets and defeats the ahdath (p257).

11. The followup by Zanghi is defeated by the troops and ahdath of Damascus- "From none of the troops or armed bands {al-ahdath} did he {Zanghi} meet with anything but determination to pursue the struggle with steadfastness in the charge and the combat" (p259).

12. Damscene ahdath form part of the Damascene army fighting the Latins of the 2nd Crusade (p283).

13. A large number of the ahdath set ambushes by the roads, to collect Cruader-heads for reward (p286).

14. The levy of troops and ahdath of Damasus refuse to assemble to fight Nur al-Din (p309).

15. Nur al-Din's advance on Damascus from the east is met by a large body of troops and ahdath in indecisive fighting (p318).

16. The ahdath of Aleppo rise up against the governor, imprisoning him in the citadel and get Shi'ite formulas included in the call to prayer. Nur al-Din does not retaliate (p343).

17. A large number of 'askaris and ahdath issue from Damascus to confront a large Latin raiding party. The Franks withdraw rather than fight (p345).