Vikings Expansion : Islamic World (1 Viewer)

Hector of Troy

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Here is a paragraph I took from Wikipedia pertaining to Viking Expansion. In 844 the Vikings attacked Al-Andalus, the administrative area of the Iberian Peninsula ruled by Muslims. They sacked Lisbon, Cádiz and Medina Sidonia, and then captured Seville. However, the Muslims counterattacked and defeated them. The survivors fled. The Vikings carried out further raids on Al-Andalus but the Muslims fought back effectively. So I decided to throw a little display together with my FL Vikings and FL Muslims that I borrowed from my Crusader display. Its not a permanent display so I didn't cover the bases. This will do until Matt unveils his opposition for the FL Vikings. My little display has the Vikings and Muslims doing battle near the coast. Evidence for Norse ventures into Arabia and Central Asia can be found in runestones erected in Scandinavia by the relatives of fallen Viking adventurers. Several of these refer to men who died in "Serkland" (Arabia)
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Mediterranean the Norse (referred to as Rus') were viewed more as "merchant-warriors" whose were primarily associated with trade and business. In particular, Arab scholars such as Ibn-Fadlan recount Norse trade expeditions to Baghdad, a major center of the Islamic world. Indeed, one of the only detailed accounts of a Viking burial come from Ibn-Fadlan's account. At times this trading relationship would break down into violence – Rus' armadas raided in the Caspian on at least three occasions, in 910, 912 and 943. IMG_5028.JPG IMG_5039.JPG IMG_5024.JPG IMG_5021_1.JPG IMG_5025.JPG
 
Nice collection, great battle scene and interesting story, well done sir. Regards Greg.
 
Good to see one range of figures fitting in nicely with another especially a rarely touched upon area of that era.
Steve
 
Very creative and an interesting bit of history I was not aware of.
With a little imagination, historical research and we can find other ranges that can mix. Of course the "purists" may resist but there is no law against fun!
 
The Long Ships is one of my favorite movies "The Golden Bell", I've always liked the theme song, great humming music. There is a lot of little displays that can work with the FL lines. Read about skirmishes that the Ancient Greeks had with the Ancient German Tribes. Here is a couple of paragraphs I read. The place where the Celts originated from, was Southern Germany. From there , they expanded and until the 5th century BC they had settled allover the western Europe. During the 5th century they invaded the Po valley in Northern Italy and drove back the Etruscans. The ancient Greeks knew about the existence of Celts since the 6th century BC. It was the time of the second Greek colonization during which the ancient Greeks founded colonies in the Western Mediterranean. Massilia (Nowadays Marseilles in France) was the first Greek colony which developed contacts and diplomatic relationships with the Celts in Gaul. These relations were from time to time either peaceful or hostile. The ancient Greeks considered the Celts among the nations with the largest population in the world. Maybe I will throw a little Dio pitting Greeks against Gauls. I also read even Alexander the Great had to deal with them before he left for Persia. Now if Matt did a "El Cid line" I can still use my Muslim figures. How about a "Sparticus Line" could use the FL Caesarian Romans, same time frame.

Celtic warriors.jpg The physical appearance of the Celtic warriors was intimidating for the Ancient Greeks whose average height was shorter comparing to the Celts.
 
German Landsknechts and Spanish Arquebuslers fought the Ottoman Turks at the 1529 siege of Vienna.
Perhaps when FL releases their Ottoman Turks some really colorful dioramas can be produced.
 

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