The city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs - the so-called mysteries of the Battle of Poitiers

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Probably many of us have forgotten the information from school textbooks.Problems in Mathematics, chronological tables on the history ... And for good reason.After all, we ourselves have children, who are often asked to give an answer to a seemingly insoluble problem.For example, stick to your son or daughter will ask you to tell me what the name of the city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs.Grade 6, the history of the Middle Ages - is the first thing that comes to mind.After all, we were taught something similar.But what about the details?What is really behind the place and how it was?Is the battle took place there?What is the significance of this event and why it is so popular that he was in crossword puzzles and books?Short story and other facts set out below.

City, which the Franks defeated the Arabs.6 letters in a name or 3?

The battle, which took place in 732, referred to in the books and chronicles in different ways.School textbooks often talk about the Battle of Poitiers.How is the city that the Franks defeated the Arabs (6 letters)?This question is often found in crossword puzzles on a historical theme.In this case, it is also about Poitiers.But if we look at the historical sources, we see that quite often it is a battle called the Battle of Tours.But in general the Arab chroniclers called it "battle cohort of martyrs."The exact location of the battle is not recorded in any document.

now known.A place?

Western European and Arab chroniclers claim that on 10 October 732, the battle took place between the forces of Franco, who led the mayor of the palace of Austrasia, Charles Martel and the Arabs of the Umayyad Caliphate.The last led the governor-general of Al-Andalus Abdurrahman ibn Abdallah.In this battle won, as you know, the Franks.Arab commander was killed.And Charles Martel became very influential ruler of the lands of southern Europe.But they called the city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs?Neither Chronicle does not give us an exact answer to this question.Let's look at it in more detail.

Background

Arab dynasty Umavi or Umayyad, had one of the most powerful armies in the world.It actually was a huge empire, which extended from land in present-day Pakistan to the Iberian Peninsula.Their main enemy in Europe was the kingdom of the Franks, which combines the current land northern and central France, parts of Germany and the Netherlands.Their leader Charles Martel wanted to unite under his rule the whole of Europe and its transformation into an empire, like Rome.Between him and the Arabs was an independent duchy of Aquitaine.Both forces tried to seize it and to subjugate, thereby changing the current balance in his favor.Many historians believe that the city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs, became a place of battle, determined the fate of the whole of Europe, and even Christianity.

Battlefield and its progress

When the Umayyad forces began to seize southern Europe, the Duke of Aquitaine Ed or Evdon tried to deal with them on their own, but could not.Then he turned for help to Charles Martel.He agreed to help, but only on condition that recognizes the primacy of Aquitaine francs.The Arabs did not pay attention to it.Their commander believed that the Franks - a wild Germanic tribes who did not know how to fight.They had underestimated the strength of the enemy, and this was one of the reasons for their defeat.

battlefield chosen by the Charles Martel.He wanted his troops were on a hill covered with forest, and on the attack first went to the Arabs.And he succeeded.Therefore the city, in which the Franks defeated the Arabs, the mayor of the palace of Austrasia chose it.This area is located half-way between Tours and Poitiers.That is why historians call the battle over the name of one or the other city.Winter is coming, to which the Arabs were not ready.Charles Martel waited a week to get them to attack him on favorable conditions, but this time for him reinforcements.Therefore, when the Arab cavalry began to tear up the woodland, its advantage has been reduced to zero.In addition, Carl managed by different rumors spread panic in the ranks of the enemy, induce many riders to retreat to surround the enemy commander and kill him.So it was won the Battle of Tours (or Poitiers).

value

Traditionally, many historians believe that the city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs, became a landmark.They believed that the battle of Poitiers turned the history of Europe.Had Charles Martel stopped the Arabs, Europe would become a Muslim, and there would be no empire of Charlemagne, nor modern civilization.Another group of historians argue that the significance of this battle is overrated.For example, the Muslim chroniclers, though admit defeat of their troops at Tours, nevertheless represent the battle as a minor skirmish, which is not especially influenced the further alignment of forces.

Some modern historians believe that Arab commander just wanted to plunder the rich monastery in Tours and far-reaching plans it did not have.Therefore, the assertion that the battle had saved Christian Europe - at least an exaggeration.In any case, none of the chronicle is not brought to us the exact name of the city, which the Franks defeated the Arabs.The only thing we know is that the battle took place at the confluence of two rivers, the forests and hills, between the two cities.