Aleppo

M2TW/Broken Crescent 2.02: The Siege of Beroea (Aleppo) 963 A.D. (Nikephoros II Phokas vs Arabs)

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• published: 16 Aug 2013
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THIS IS A DOUBLE SIEGE, THATS WHY IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR, AND HAD THE GATE OF THE THIRD WALL OF THE CITADEL, NOT BEEN OPENED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRIPPLE SIEGE. The Siege and sack of Beroea or Berroia (Aleppo) by the Roman-Byzantines under the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, took place in 963 A.D. During one of his successful Syrian campaigns. According to the history of Leo the Deacon, Nikephoros Phokas has been winning victories and retaking fortresses from the Arabs even before he was Emperor. He had already destroyed the Saracen Emirate of Crete and was sent to Syria were due to his successes and conquests he was entrusted the command of the whole Roman army. Once he became Emperor, he drilled the army constantly, spent a lot of money on his army, necessary weapons and siege machines and personally led multiple successful campaigns against the Arabs of the Abbasid caliphate in Syria. In only one year, during his Syrian campaign of 962-963 he took over 60 fortresses and towns without a single loss. During his short reign, he retook a lot of lost territory from the Arabs, from the Bulgars too. He fought fiercely in battle even in the vanguard of his army, carried rocks on his shoulder, trained his men & worked hard along his men, Leo says. Nothing and no one would stand in his way. Although, Leo does not mention the siege of Aleppo in 963, it is mentioned and drawn by other historians very briefly. Aleppo, as we call it today, was called Beroea by the Romans. The Romans called Arabs 'Agarenes'. Their Caliph at the time was a certain Al-Muti. I have no doubt in believing the Arabs held & resisted Aleppo fiercely and the city was well garrisoned due to its strategic location. The Romans, led by their Emperor took Aleppo and sacked it thoroughly. They took some 390,000 silver dinars, 2,000 camels, and 1,400 mules among other looting from houses. During the time of Nikephoros II his enemies trembled from him. When ever he found it too difficult to take a city, he made sure he would take it the next spring. In his battles and sieges most of them according to Leo, were taken by the 1st assault. He was nicknamed "The Pale Death of the Saracens". So i thought to recreate the siege as best as i can from the very little information available. I used Broken Crescent for this siege cos i had edited some of my Romans units. If you notice, the new shield designs on the Cataphracts, on the hippotoxotai horse archers and their quivers, the bodyguard's pteruges & cloaks, the skoutatoi shields & some banners and the Emperor himself. The Arabs in the city were some of the best Abbasid units & gave them silver chevron experiences and swords that varies. The problem with BROKEN CRESCENT IS THAT FIGHTING ON THE WALLS TAKE FOREVER.