Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi

Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi was a 12th-century Ayyubid-era writer and expert on military matters.[1] He wrote a number of treatises, including a military manual for Saladin in 1187. His writings have proved an invaluable resource for medieval and military historians.

Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi
OccupationMilitary writer

Tarsusi 1187 military manual describes various throwing machines including mangonels and trebuchets.[2] [3]

In On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions,[4] more detailed quotes by Tarsusi may be found on the various types of trebuchets.

The well known treatise was entitled Tabsirat arbab al-albab fi kayfiyat al-najah fi al-hurub min al-anwa' wa-nashr he manini ahla renoshr a'lam al-a'lam fi al-'udad wa-al-alat al-mu'inah 'ala liqa' al-a'da', or "Information for the intelligent on how to escape injury in combat; and the unfurling of the banners of instruction on equipment and engines which assist in encounters with enemies."[5]

Notes
  1. Nicolle & McBride 1986:17
  2. Scott Farrell, Weaponry: The Trebuchet
  3. Jim Bradbury, Medieval Siege p255-256
  4. Philip Daileader, On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions
  5. Needham 1986:42

References
  • Claude Cahen, Un traité d'armurerie composé pour Saladin, Bulletin d'études orientales, vol 12, 1947-1948, pp. 103-163 (edition and partial translation, on line).
  • A. Boudot-Lamotte and F. Viré, Contribution à l'étude de l'archerie musulmane, Institut français de Damas: Damascus, 1968, OCLC 2000537 (edition and translation of archery chapters from Murdî Ibn ˀAlî Murdî al-Tarsusî).
  • Needham, Joseph, Science and civilisation in China, 1986, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-30358-3 excerpts inline
  • Nicolle, David; McBride, Angus; Saladin and the Saracens, 1986, Osprey Publishing ISBN 0-85045-682-7
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