Crossbow History in Islamic Middle East

This video showcases my reproductions of military Muslim crossbows, which are rarely discussed today. History of crossbows in the Middle East are also explored prior to the Arab Islamic Conquests, such as Greek Crossbows in Pergamon and Chinese crossbows in Battle of Talas and Bactria.
There are few references to crossbows earlier than the 13th century AD in the Muslim world however. Medieval texts indicate that the crossbow is considered it a foreign weapon. They called it qaus al-rijl (foot-drawn bow), qaus al-zanbūrak (bolt bow) and qaus al-faranjīyah (Frankish bow). Although Muslims did have crossbows, there seems to be a split between eastern and western types. Muslims in Spain used the typical European trigger while eastern Muslim crossbows had a more complex trigger mechanism with a long powerstroke of the Timurids, Mongols Ilkhanate, and Mughals.

[@phawang37]

Although Pergamon and Bactria was before Islam its nice to mention since they are so forgotten today and later became part of the Muslim world

[@Banished-rx4ol]

Underrated for sure compound bows and horse archery always gets the spotlight for middle eastern archery.

[@greenirez2798]

I like these recreations a lot. Well done, more videos like this please.

[@lobstereleven4610]

really appreciate the historical context you give for these! thanks!

[@S.Grenier]

This was a very cool topic and video, those large ones from the artworks look so imposing.

[@John_Lund]

Nice, keep posting info about historical crossbows and bows.

[@paulmears5330]

Excellent start on what is huge subject. Awesome 😎

[@andrewsock1608]

I wonder if the first crossbows were traps set to trip lines and don’t show up in recorded weapons history. Maybe Stone Age cave men invented it. Then someone made it portable.

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Great work! I like how you work with all of that original artwork.

[@HistoricalWeapons]

I think the main advantage of mounted crossbows vs mounted archers is that it will break the shield formation better than archers, if the enemy decides to hold their formation in a shield wall. For example, 1000 arrows delivering 50 joules each vs 1000 bolts delivering 200 joules each shooting at a shield wall, the crossbow volleys should disintegrate the shield better than bows, especially when the crossbows are quadruple the kinetic energy. Of course the bows will be able to discharge much faster but the crossbowmen can carry more ammunition per volume capacity. Either the enemy of the shield wall decides to engage in the offensive, or continue to slowly recieve crossbow bolts. I don’t think the bolts need to completely destroy the shield to be effective, they just need to weaken the shield enough to affect the morale of the shield bearers, or force them to engage in the offensive. It also depends on the shield quality and type..

[@xiaotian5863]

Wallah

[@ursamajor7468]

Living in the States we tend to be isolated in thought and input from the East. I am loving the content on this channel because it breaks down that wall. Really fascinating content!!! THANK YOU 😊

[@recursr1892]

@historicalweapons thanks for this informative video! On minute

[@MrPink-qf1xi]

In Turkish these are called "Tataryayı"I guess because we saw them from Mongols(they were called Tartars by early Ottomans).

[@user-jw4pj8eq1b]

What abou the muslim mounted crossbow in Iberia as I know it was more common because they have less reach for horse archers and the crossbows were designed to be mounted on the saddel in someway

[@Scout887]

2:45

[@marcellusbrutus3346]

Finally not sponsored

[@mandogpig7595]

When do we get the historical bow tier list

[@user-gg5to7mq3m]

不錯，不錯。

[@brtg59]

just saw your shorts video and Im already in love with the content, Ive been looking for this kind of channel for a while and you just came up in clutch