Rashidun: Glory of the Caliphate

In 661, Ali ibn Abi Talib finally crushes the rebels. He then turns his attention to unifying his Caliphate, and imposes minority inclusive policies. He, inspired by persian architecture, created plan to build a new capital in Syria. The city's name would be Al Hasha. Realizing that the declining Byzantine empire posed a threat, he decided to create a standing army. He needed an army of 300,000 men, so he conscripted many men into the Rashidun Army. He also began construction of about 300 naval ships to supplement captured Byzantine weapons. A new problem arose. Poverty began to spread, so he needed a solution

Rajul Alhadid

He finally decided that he needed a plan. He would gather homeless children, and train them into a new unit of the Rashidun Army. The Rajul Alhadid. They and their horses would be completely covered in scale armor, with many plates attached to it. They looked very similar to the Cataphracts fielded by the Byzantine and Sassanid empires they had fought previously, and it was decided that the first batch of these elite troops would number 30,000.

The Great Expansion

The Rashidun army, now well well organized and orderly, began to expand all across Northern Africa. They expanded into india, introducing war elephants into their grand army.

The Conquest of Spain

The Great Rashidun Navy sailed to Spain, where the Visigothic Kingdom ruled. Two ambassadors where sent by the Rashidun Caliphate to offer a deal: The Visigoths could continue to rule Spain, but only if they accepted tributary status. They would also have to convert to Islam. The Visigothic Kingdom responded by sending two severed heads to the Rashidun Army, so thus began to conquest of Visigothic Spain.