Yarmuk
August 15-20, 636
Strategic Context
Beginning in 622, Emperor Heraclius revitalizes the Byzantine Empire and conquers the
Fertile Crescent of modern Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Syria from the empire’s longtime foes, the
Sassanids. A decade later, Khald ibn al-Walid leads a dramatic invasion of these newly
conquered lands. He destroys a Byzantine army and captures Damascus in 635 before
another army can be hastily assembled, led by Vahan, to chase the Rashiduns out. Now the
Rashiduns make their stand south of Damascus with their backs to the Arabian Desert; they
are united by purpose and know that this could be their final chance to break out of the desert.
Stakes
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+ A Byzantine victory would reverse the
gains of the Rashiduns and push them back
into the Arabian Desert.
+ A Rashidun victory would establish control
over the Fertile Crescent and permit further
conquest to impose Muslim authority.
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By Jonathan Webb, 2009
Yarmuk, 636
Strength
Byzantines
Rashiduns
Vahan
Khalid ibn al-Walid
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
Well
Religiously motivated
By Jonathan Webb, 2009
Western Eurasia c. 600
The battlefield is relatively flat and open, but contained on nearly all sides: the dry, steep Wadi ur-Ruqqad to the north, Nahr al-Allan
tributary of the Yarmuk River to the west, and other gorges and river to the south and east off map. Possible egress routes include a
bridge over the Wadi ur-Ruqqad to the north, ford across the Nahr al-Allan to the southwest, and open space to the northeast.
N
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Plain of Yarmuk
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
The first deploys
day of battle
a series
of individual
duels,that
which
are dominated
Rashidun
Vahan ends
of his
officersone
and for
his
Khalid
his begins
force with
in four
separate
divisions
operate
largelybyonthetheir
own.champions.
They are backed
by the
theslaughter
Rashidun
cavalry:
force’s
morale
by
sending
his
frontline
infantry
to
probe
the
Rashidun
front.
Vahan
knows
that
he
must
use
sheer
weight
of
numbers
along
a
crowded,
broad
each flank, one for the center and another kept in reserve. Vahan deploys his force similarly in four separate division except that they
front to achieve at least one breakthrough which can then be exploited. Khalid recognizes the inferiority of his force and must exhaust the Byzantines before
are
larger and each boast their own cavalry units. Vahan also keeps a sizeable cavalry reserve to the rear.
even considering an attack. Vahan’s limited offensive features only moderate effort on both sides before dusk ends the action.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Infantry
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
The the
Rashidun
soldiers’
wives launches
berate anda throw
rocks
at those
arrivecenter
at camp
until aggressively
they return toattacking
battle; theythe
rejoin
the battle
just
On
second
day, Vahan
resolute
assault;
hewho
pinsshamefully
the Rashidun
while
Rashidun
wings.
in
time
to
save
their
respective
wings
from
complete
destruction.
Khalid
then
commits
his
cavalry
reserve
to
restore
his
right
wing
before
shifting
Some infantry on these wings retreat to camp under pressure of the Byzantine attack. This forces each Rashidun wing to commit its
it over to restore his left wing. The Rashidun center counterattacks in concert with these restorative attacks and succeeds in nudging the
cavalry in a counterattack but they too retreat to camp, critically weakening both Rashidun wings.
Byzantine center back. Heavy but inconclusive fighting ensues along the original front until dusk begins to fall and Vahan must withdraw.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Infantry
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
On the third day, Vahan launches another determined attack; this time he again pins the Rashidun center but focuses on the weakened Rashidun
right wing and leaves their left wing unmolested. Khalid rejoices that his left wing can rest but must again commit his cavalry reserve merely to
reestablish the original front. Casualties pile up on both sides but are significantly higher in the Byzantine ranks. Dusk and mutual exhaustion
again end the day’s action.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Infantry
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
On
the fourth
VahanKhalid
again is
seeks
front on
by breaking
at one
and of
then
once
Khalidiscommits
his reserves.
Vahan attacks
Through
fierceday,
fighting,
abletotoshatter
restorethe
theRashidun
original front
his right. through
Meanwhile,
thepoint
success
theexploiting
Rashidunanother
left wing
divisions
ended when
the Byzantines
deploy
with his
two left
wing divisions
while advancing
his twoand
rightcan
wing
which
are This
to wait
until Khalid
his reserves
launching
their
own
attack.
Vahan’s
their
archers
en masse.
The Rashidun
archers arewith
outranged
do divisions,
nothing but
retreat.
is known
as thecommits
“Day of Lost
Eyes” forbefore
the 700
Rashiduns
who
lose
an eye
in this
plan
well;
left-center
division
pushes through
the opposing
Rashidun
andthey
is only
contained
by cavalry
reserves.
Sensing
unfoldingout
disaster
immediately,
arrowbegins
barrage.
Thehis
Byzantine
right
wing divisions
quickly exploit
this disorder
and division
attack but
are also
tied down
in a slogging
match
whichthe
is balanced
when the
Rashidun
Khalid
a spoiling
onbattle.
the Byzantine
two right
wing until
divisions
throw
them offagain
balance
and
delay any disengagement.
action by them. The desired effect is achieved as these divisions
womenorders
take up
arms andattack
join the
The fighting
continues
dusktoand
exhaustion
force
a Byzantine
retreat a short distance and are in no state to carry out an attack. The situation is dangerous for Khalid as his entire force is engaged against a superior force.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Infantry
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
Both sides take the fifth day to rest, masked by futile negotiations and challenges. The ranks of both forces have thinned greatly but is more noticeable in the Byzantine force
which has been on the offensive, as is often the rule. On this day, Khalid decides that the Byzantine morale and ranks have been weakened enough to launch his first and hopefully
only attack. He gathers all of his cavalry into a single, powerful strike group. Vahan still possesses fresh cavalry reserves which have yet to engage in battle. Whether they are held
back for the chance to completely annihilate the Rashiduns in the pursuit of an anticipated battlefield victory or remain static due to major problems in the Byzantine chain of
command is unclear.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Infantry
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
In
night, Khalid
a unit
to guard
bridge
over blocked
the opposing
wadi,byinathis
case engage
anforce.
abnormally
steep,
river.
opens them
his assault
by
Thethe
Inconclusive
Byzantines
fighting
aredetaches
dismayed
continues
toamong
find
their
the the
infantry
escape
route
while
the
cavalry
Rashidun
inThey
the Byzantine
briefly dry
attempt
rear. Khalid
The
to dislodge
determined
Rashidun
but are
pinning
the
Byzantine
front
with
his
infantry
and
sweeping
around
Vahan’s
left
flank.
Vahan
also
gathers
a
large
cavalry
group
in
reserve
but
it
is
cavalry to
unable
areand
more
must
mobile
flee the
andpursuing
harass the
mainheavier
Rashidun
Byzantine
force. The
cavalry
Byzantines
until they
are flee
bottled
theinto
battle
a confined
altogether.
space
Thewhere
Byzantine
they fight
infantry
savagely
fight
unprepared
tocan
respond
decisively
at thethe
time
of attack
andthe
so the
Byzantine
left
division
disintegrates,
theand
left-center
valiantly
but
eventually
but
trydo
to nothing
escape
across
against
assailment
wadi
in desperation.
from
front,
Many
leftdo
and
not
now
make
rear;
it across.
they begin to exposing
disengage
retreat.division’s flank.
Byzantines
(Vahan)
25,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
Rashiduns
(Khalid)
N
Landmarks
Wadi ur-Ruqqad
Byzantines
Infantry
Rashiduns
Infantry
Plain of Yarmuk
Cavalry
Cavalry
Camp
Camp
Symbol guide
Byzantines
(Vahan)
Nahr al-Allan
Rashiduns
(Khalid ibn al-Walid)
16,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
Yarmuk, 636
Casualties & Aftermath
Byzantines:
Rashiduns:
18,000
4,000
or
or
45%
16%
Emperor Heraclius was understandably distraught by the decisive defeat which
undid his conquests of the previous decade. The Rashiduns conquered
Palestine and Syria soon after the defeat, and eventually the prized Byzantine
province of Egypt. This battle marked only the beginning of the spread of Islam
into Asia, Africa, and Europe.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009
The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com
By Jonathan Webb, 2009