Mercenaries in Egypt and Sham during the Crusades

Abstract

The mercenaries took part in the Crusader Islamic wars in Egypt and sham during the period between (491 - 690 AH / 1098 - 1291 AD) because of the intensification and escalation of military confrontations between Muslims and Crusaders, and their persistence for long periods of time.

     The mercenaries played vital role in the development of military organizations and war tactics To the Crusader and Islamic military institutions This study aims at defining the phenomenon of mercenaries , explaining the concept and getting acquainted with their backgrounds and diversity of experiences The study further aims at familiarizing their classification criteria, the analysis of their motives, tracking  their origins as well as  their concealed  and public roles in the Crusades beside, the effects of this phenomenon and its consequences.