Horn Bearer
Horn Bearers were elite guards of the Abbasid Caliphate during the 9th century armed with two-handed maces. They were so named because of the horns they carried at their waists, which they would sound in the event of a threat, alerting all nearby guards to converge at their location.[1]
In the absence of other soldiers, Horn Bearers fought similarly to guard captains, swinging their maces at the enemy in the hopes of overwhelming them with their superior strength. However, their large size and heavy armor—which was noticeably weaker at the back—put them at a disadvantage against more agile opponents like the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq, who was also able to use his throwing knives to break the guards' horns, preventing them from summoning reinforcements.[2]