Editing Battle of Talas

{{Era|Timeline}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{Spoilerhd|17 April 2021}}
{{Battle Infobox
|prev =
|next = [[An Lushan Rebellion]]
|conflict = {{Wiki|Muslim conquest of Transoxiana}}<ref name="Wikipedia">{{WP|Battle of Talas}}</ref>
|date = May–September 751<ref name="Wikipedia" />
|place = Talas River<ref name="Wikipedia" />
|side1 = [[Abbasid Caliphate]]<ref name="Dynasty 8">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 8|Chapter 8]]</ref>
|side2 = [[Tang dynasty]]<ref name="Dynasty 8" /><br>[[Karluks]]<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|commanders1 = {{Wiki|Abu Muslim}}<ref name="Wikipedia" /><br>Ziyad ibn Salih<ref name="Wikipedia" />
|commanders2 = [[Gao Xianzhi]]<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|forces1 = 200,000<ref name="Wikipedia" />
|forces2 = 30,000<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|casual1 = ?<ref name="Wikipedia" />
|casual2 = ~30,000<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|name= Battle of Talas}}
The '''Battle of Talas''' (Chinese: 怛羅斯之戰) was a military engagement between the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] and [[Tang dynasty]] which occurred in August 751 along the Talas River. The battle ended with a decisive Abbasid victory after the [[Karluks]] who had allied with the Tang suddenly betrayed them on the fifth day, putting an end to the Tang's westward expansion.<ref name="Dynasty 8" /> 

==Background==
In 751, the Tang ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[Gao Xianzhi]] of the {{wiki|Protectorate General to Pacify the West|Anxi Protectorate}} led his forces westward over the Pamir Mountains in an expansionist campaign. Simultaneously, the Abbasids carried over their momentum from their overthrow of the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] the previous year into an expedition eastward into [[Asia|Central Asia]].<ref name="Dynasty 8" /> The two empires ultimately collided at the Talas River near {{wiki|Fergana Valley|Fergana}} late that summer. A substantial portion of the Tang forces was comprised of not Tang soldiers but Karluk [[mercenary|mercenaries]] who had allied with them.<ref name="Wikipedia" />

==Course of battle==
For five days, the spirited Tang soldiers held the advantage against the Abbasids. They had arrayed three lines of spearmen wielding great shields in front to serve as a bulwark against [[horseman|cavalry]], which comprised a substantial portion of the Abbasid forces. At the onset of battle, these shield-bearers were interspersed with [[crossbow]]men. When the Arabians opened battle with a massive cavalry charge, these crossbowmen unleashed volleys of bolts to reduce as many of their men before the inevitable clash. They were able to get off at least three volleys before their commander had to order them to withdraw so that the [[spear]]men may form-up their shield wall.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

With the giant shields measuring around two meters in height, locked together side-by-side, they formed a formidable and resolute barrier whose effectiveness against cavalry was enhanced by the soldiers' spears bracing against the gaps between each shield and pointing outwards to face the oncoming charge. Nonetheless, it was not impenetrable and many shields still buckled under the impact of the armored Arabian horses' fierce momentum.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

On the fifth day, the Karluks at the rear flanks of the Tang army suddenly betrayed their suzerain and attacked from behind. Alongside another assault from the Abbasids in the front, the Tang were caught in a shocking pincer movement that destroyed all cohesion and resulted in the near total annihilation of their 30,000-strong force.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACD}}
{{Timeline}}
[[zh:怛罗斯之战]]
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Timeline]]