Medieval Kingdoms Total War: Sultanate of Oman

[Dontfearme22]

The Sultanate of Oman
سلطنة عُمان / Salṭanat ʻUmān
[Nabhani Dynasty]




Oman is the most enigmatic country in the Near East. Lodged at the far southeastern end of Arabia, it has maintained a mystique going back to before biblical times. This has perpetuated a sense of isolation, but nothing could be further from the truth. As much as Oman is the end of Arabia, it is the gateway to India. Through trade all across the ocean Omanis have left their mark from Zanzibar to Malaysia. Despite this Omani culture at home has remained deeply conservative, rooted in a proud south Arab identity seperate from its neighbors.

During the medieval period, Oman was divided into dozens of clans loosely ruled by the Nabhani rulers alongside the traditional imans who dominated society previously. Interventions by foreign powers in the past had left little mark on Oman warfare. South Arabs retained the ancient Arab reverence for the lance and horse, making organized charges and withdrawals (karr w farr) alongside roving bands of tribal militas and foot archers. A select few fought in expensive suits of mail armor, or imports from the more cosmopolitan armories of Egypt and Syria.

Tier 1

Generals Bodyguard

Sayyids Guard

The Nabhani family titled their princes sayyid. These minor princes formed many of the commanders in the Omani army, guarded by the best men avaliable.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Za'im al Qaba'il

The 'leader of the tribes' was a sole figure who could dominate each of the Omani clans. He could expect to have the best weapons and armor avaliable. Lingering influences from foreign domination, especially heavy horse armor, still remained in Oman even after years of home rule.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Melee Infantry

Shurah

The shurah were the rank and file fighters in Omani armies. So-called 'volunteers' from the nations many tribes. They likely fought with the ubiquitious khanjar knife of Oman. It was not only a symbol of their identity, but a effective weapon for ambush warfare.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Shurah Spearmen

Spears are the cheapest metal weapon one can make. In a land where mounted warriors closed in for the charge, it is plausible that the great tribal levies that comprised the bulk of Omani armies would have had many spearmen among their ranks.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Omani Urban Militia

Oman had its own tradition of sword-making going back centuries. Omani swords have a unique shape, with a long straight blade leading to a thin elongated leather-wrapped hilt. Swordsmen would stab and slash while parrying with their small leather shields, reminiscent of warfare in the horn of Africa just across the sea.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ranged Infantry

Tribal Archers

South Arabs rarely fought with bows on horseback, but they were a common weapon on foot.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Melee Cavalry

Tribal Cavalry

Omanis held a deep reverence for the mounted lancer. Packs of lightly armored horsemen fought in Omani armies all across the period just like their ancestors would have many centuries prior.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Credits

Ltd | Rigging and Models
Ahiga | Models
You Guess Who , Zsimmortal , and others | Feedback
CA for making Attila Total War

The Smiths for making me feel emotions while developing this faction ಥ_ಥ

[Gondolin]

Beautifull result

[T. Brutus]

They look incredibly immersive, I liked the "Empires of Sand" a lot in Attila because of the whole atmosphere of playing as exotic Himyar or Tanukhids, clenched in between those warring empires. You know, from far away in the isolated desert, slowly making their way to conquer Arabia and the Middle East. This preview really conveys the same feeling to me and makes me look forward to overwhelm the Caliphate, the Crusaders and the Byzantines. Despite all the other grand, eye-catching factions in MKTW, even such a minor is executed so well, kudos. Lovely work!