Elite [30] Attila and the Nomad Hordes by David Nicolle

Author:David Nicolle [Nicolle, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: new
ISBN: 9780850459968
Google: 35omvgAACAAJ
Amazon: 0850459966
Goodreads: 237490
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 1990-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

Their use of two-humped Bactrian camels suggests an important rôle for mobile mounted infantry while thousands of mercenary soldiers, sometimes paid with lengths of Chinese silk, were recruited from other regions.

Turkish military ritual was also highly developed. Before a campaign new drums and drum-skins would be prepared, no expedition being possible until these instruments struck the correct note. Meanwhile warriors would go hunting for a skin to be made into a suluk or small 'kit-bag' attached to the right side of a sword-belt. A slaughtered sheep would then be hung, one half on each side of the saddle, as food for the next weeks. Horses' tails would be knotted, animals and riders both being decorated with silk badges, tufts of hair or feathers. The leader's 'silken dome' tent would be prepared, drums beaten and banners raised, whereupon the warriors made a great shout and shot arrows into the air. Thus a pre-Islamic Turkish army was readied for war. Mounted military bands with drums, cymbals, horns and bells played a vital rôle in communicating orders, maintaining morale and as a symbol of authority. In fact the Khagan had his own orchestra of 80 or so musicians.

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