Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani

Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani was the Arab governor general of the Muslim occupied region of the Iberian Peninsula called Al-Andalus in the beginning of the 8th century.

Related Topics:
Arab - Iberian Peninsula - Al-Andalus

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He led a Muslim incursion into southern France in the early part of the 8th century . After some initial success leading a large Arab army into France and besieging a number of French towns and cities including Narbonne, Béziers, Agde, Lodève, Maguelonne (Montpellier) and Nîmes, he returned to Muslim Spain to gather more Muslim fighters prior to attacking the strongly defended Christian city of Toulouse.

Related Topics:
Muslim - France - Narbonne - Béziers - Agde - Lodève - Maguelonne - Nîmes - Christian - Toulouse

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He returned to France with a massive army of over 375,000 Arab fighters, siege engines, infantry, horsemen and mercenaries.

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The siege of Toulouse, with its near-impregnable walls, lasted until early summer. The defenders, short of provisions, were close to breaking when, around June 9, 721, the duke of Eudes of Aquitaine returned at the head of a large force, attacking al-Samh's rear and launching a highly successful encircling movement. A major, decisive battle ensued. Caught between the Toulouse defenders and Eudes's men, al-Samh tried to break out, but was trapped with the bulk of his troops in a place called Balat where he made a determined last stand as his army was decimated by the Christian forces.

Related Topics:
Toulouse - Eudes of Aquitaine

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Al-Samh himself was critically wounded and died shortly afterwards.

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Historian records the destruction of Al-Samh ibn Malik's Muslim army of 375,000 fighters as one of the turning points in the Muslim invasion of Europe in the 8th century.

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