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="Dynasty 8" />
|commanders2 = [[Gao Xianzhi]]<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|forces1 = ?
|forces2 = 30,000<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|casual1 = ?
|casual2 = ~30,000<ref name="Dynasty 8" />
|name= Battle of Talas}}
The '''Battle of Talas''' (Chinese: 怛羅斯之戰; Arabic: معركة نهر طلاس) 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 {{wiki|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" />

==Aftermath==
Very few of the Tang soldiers survived to flee the battle. Among them were Gao Xianzhi<ref name="Dynasty promos">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' promotional material</ref> and the twenty-one year old footsoldier [[Li E]]. By the orders of the Abbasid general [[Ziyad ibn Salih]], who hoped to bring back knowledge of Chinese {{wiki|papermaking}}, Tang craftsmen among the surviving troops were to be carefully identified in case they could provide vital information with their technological expertise. In contrast, Tang soldiers were to be executed under the rationale that they did not have enough rations to feed additional prisoners.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

Li E overheard these orders and, recognizing his impending peril, sprung into action, seizing a [[repeating crossbow]] from the ground. Thinking only of making a valiant last stand, he sniped a lone Arabian [[sword]]smen who had his guard down. Instantly, nearby shocked Arabian soldiers spotted the assailant perched among a pile of dead Tang soldiers, beneath one of the toppling sun banners of his country. They rushed at him in fury, fury that was matched by Li E himself as he shot down several more of their swordsmen before they could close the gap. At last, with even Abbasid lancers almost upon him charging at full speed to run him down, Li E tossed the crossbow aside and turned to his sword. He screamed a desperate battle cry while unsheathing his blade, but by chance, it proved to be unnecessary. Just as his foes had reached his position, mysterious, hooded riders intercepted them from behind him, saving his life.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

These riders, led by a woman named [[Aliana]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 9|Chapter 9]]</ref> were the [[Hidden Ones]],<ref name="Dynasty promos" /> a multi-ethnic secret organization with roots in [[Egypt]] dating back to the 1st century BCE.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Last of the Medjay]]</ref> This first meeting between them and Li E would become a pivotal moment in the history of the [[Assassins]], as the Hidden Ones would later be known by, for in the coming years, Li E would be [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|inducted]] as a Hidden One and play a vital role fighting against the [[An Lushan Rebellion]].<ref name="Dynasty promos" />

Apart from its significance for the Assassins, the Battle of Talas marked the limits of the Tang dynasty's expansion westward into Central Asia.<ref name="Wikipedia" /> A rare confrontation between the Arabians and the Chinese, it became in history a relatively forgotten battle.<ref name="Dynasty 8" />

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

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