The Lion of Africa and The Sword of Islam

Muslims were welcome in Mecca, until they tried to impose monotheism.

Cast out, they raided caravans to survive. They heard about an especially juicy Quraysh caravan, and took it.

In retaliation, Mecca sent an army with Khalid ibn al-Whalid. al-Whalid managed to isolate and take out the Muslim army’s archers. The Muslims were defeated.

Later, he would be dubbed the “Sword of Islam”.

You would see similar stories with the Byzantine Varangian Guard, the Mamluks, and 20th century regime changes.

Before the Desert Fox, there was the Lion of Africa.

And unlike Rommel, von Lettow-Vorbeck secured a place in the Weimar Republic for his exploits, even after the fall of the German Empire.