Berber Andalusian warrior

Warrior from the UMAYYAD CALIPHATE OF CÓRDOBA, based on a miniature from the GIRONA BEATUS, a late 10th century manuscript in the Cathedral of Girona (Catalonia). The image of the rider wearing Islamic clothes painted in the Girona Beatus, presumably representing a Muslim warrior (although some believe it to represent a Mozarabic Christian instead) is very enigmatic. Leaving aside the symbolism of the image, as the warrior appears to be slaying a snake, what intrigues me is his appearance, which is quite different from contemporary iconography of soldiers from the Caliphate of Córdoba, that are normally represented wearing tunics with lapels in a manner that’s reminiscent of Central Asian caftans, and with bare head, exposing their shoulder-length hair with a fringe similar to Late Roman hairstyles (see my previous reconstruction of an Umayyad soldier based on the Leyre Casket for example). The rider in this manuscript however appears to be wearing a coat or tunic open in the front, and a turban covering his chin, resembling those worn by the Tuareg. This is just a guess, and I have no way to prove it, but I think this warrior could represent a North African or Berber mercenary or auxiliary at the service of the caliphate, rather than an Andalusian. Of course I could be wrong, but it wouldn’t be unusual to see North Africans fighting in the armies of Al-Andalus during the Umayyad period.

The shield and short sword are based on finds from Liétor (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain), in the territory of Al-Andalus, dating to the late 10th century or early 11th century. For the sword I’ve used a modern replica made by Ancient Forge, and for the shield I used a replica made by Szczytnik Shields with History. Shields whose shape matches the shield from Liétor are represented in some 11th century Christian Iberian manuscripts such as the Catalan bibles of Sant Pere de Rodes and Ripoll.