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 Roman 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 Roman vessels. 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. The Rashidun Caliphate stationed three Faylaq (legion-like units) on the coast of spain. Each Faylaq was comprised of 2000 heavy infantry, 1000 light infantry,1000 archers, 1000 mounted archers, and the cream of the Rashidun army, 1000 Rajul Alhadid. Two Faylaq advanced further, and were met by a Visigothic army of 30,000 men. The Visigothic army was composed primarily of infantry, and approached toward the Rashidun lines forming a shield wall. In response, the Rashiduns rained flaming arrows at the visigoths, burning thier shields, causing many to flee in panic and collide with their comrades. Then, the mounted archers swept up and rained arrows at the disorderly enemy army. Finally, the 2000 Rajul Alhadid charged and finished off the rest of the Visigotic army. The Visgothic Dynasty collapsed afterwards.
Al Hasha Completed
In 700 AD, Al Hasha was completed. It would house one 3,000,000 men of all ethnicities, proving a booming cultural center. It was a mix of Arab and Persian architecture, and even included a new huge wonder: The Hanging Gardens of Al Hasha. It looked like what architects envisioned what the hanging gardens looked like, and was nearly a republic. The city featured a thirty-two story capital building, with many twenty story buildings surrounding it. Al Hasha can only be described as paradise on earth, and caused great jealousy to the declining Roman empire.
First Siege of Constantinople
In 711, a massive Arab fleet of 400 ships sailed toward Constantinople. They were met by a smaller byzantine fleet, but a deadly surprise awaited them: Roman Fire. It quickly ended the siege, and the Arabs retreated. However, their retreat cause one problem for the Romans: the caliphate had captured two Roman vessels, and were to being reverse engineering Greek fire.
New Armor For the Rajul Alhadid!
The expanding Rashidun Caliphate needed an innovation. Behold, an innovation came! Plate armor! The armor was a brand new design, and would strike fear into the hearts of the infidels! It was beautiful crafted. The steel was to be mined, then the steel would be shipped to Medina, then they would craft the parts, and finally, they would be put together in all haste. At this point in time, the number of Rajul Alhadid had risen to 100,000. These elite soldiers were slave soldiers, inducted kids in poverty. Now, they had been granted a promising career, and could grow on to be scholars and philosophers. Their children were immediately put into Rajul Alhadid ranks, created flourishing military families!
Madinat Albahr
The Caliphate had built a new city in Libya that greatly resembled Carthage. It was Madinat Albahr "The City of the Sea". The reason why it looked like Carthage was that it had a huge harbour, which was modeled after the Great Harbour of Carthage. The reason why it was built was much more sinister ... Those Lombards would have a deadly treat!
Conquest of Italy
220 ships departed from Madinat Albahr's great harbour, to invade Italy, in 735. The Italians tried to send a smaller fleet to delay their advance. However, they were met with flames! It was the reverse engineered variety of Roman Fire!