In the early 8th century, Tariq ibn Ziyad leads an army of Berbers across the sea to Iberia, promising them wealth and glory. Can they overcome the fearsome infantry of the Visigoths and even bring the banners of war to the powerful Merovingian Franks beyond the Pyrenees?
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—In-game campaign description
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In the early 8th century, Tariq ibn Ziyad prepares to lead an army of Berbers and Arabs across the sea to Iberia, enthralling his troops with promises of wealth and glory. Will their might be enough to defeat the fearsome infantry of the Visigoths and bring the banners of war to the powerful Merovingian kingdom lying beyond the Pyrenees? Their success–or failure–lies in your hands.
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—In-game campaign description before the Definitive Edition
The Tariq ibn Ziyad campaign consists of 5 scenarios. The player plays as the Berbers, and the player color is yellow. In the Definitive Edition, the campaign is also available in co-op mode, where the second player color is Orange with the Saracens.
Tariq ibn Ziyad is a mounted archerhero with the appearance of a slightly modified Elite Genitour. As a hero, he cannot be converted and can regenerate health. He appears in the first two scenarios of his campaign in both single player and co-op mode. He is also available in the Scenario Editor.
Trivia[]
The campaign icon features the adarga shield as in the Berber civilization icon and a typical Moorish castle with a square plan called Kasbahs which can be found across Northern Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) and in Spain.
Initially, the campaign had a one-sword difficulty, but was changed to a two-sword difficulty in update 87863. This is possibly because despite the campaign's straightforward objectives, the enemies have infinite resources to offset the lack of economy in their bases (with one scenario being a fixed-force scenario with no healing).
Gallery[]
Views of the unit
Draw of Tariq ibn Ziyad by Theodor Hosemann.
Equestrian statue of Tariq ibn Ziyad at Marina Smir, Morocco
Artwork of Tariq ibn Ziyad in the Definitive Editon
Tariq ibn Ziyad as he appears in The African Kingdoms
An Umayyad Arab or Berber mounted javelineer as depicted in the cutscene artwork
