The Khitan Liao (907-1125) originated as a proto-Mongol tribe located north of the Great Wall that evolved into a Chinese-style civilization with Beijing as its capital. Their army (see MW list #37) also had a distinctly Chinese character, but with greater emphasis on cavalry of all sorts. They were driven westwards by a Tungusic (i.e., proto-Manchu) tribe, called the Ru-jen, who founded the Jin Dynasty (1122-1234) in North China. Reconstituting themselves as a Central Asian Empire called the Qara Khitai (1124-1211), the Liao became a major force on the Silk Road, clobbering all and sundry, until they met up with Genghis Khan in a rather rude manner. To extend the MW Khitan Liao army list to cover the Qara Khitai (aka Western Liao), it would be sufficient merely to add "0-4" stands of Elephants, Warriors, Pike/Bow/Shield, 1@17, for the period from 1124 to 1211 only. (Cultural note: The term 'Qara Khitai" means "Black Khitans.' Rather snazzy, eh, what?) Reference: Wittfogel, K.A. & Feng Chia-sheng. History of Chinese Society: The Liao (907-1125). Philadelphia: The American Philosophical Society, 1949. See Section XV, pp. 505-570, for a comprehensive discussion of Khitan Liao army and style of warfare, and Appendices, p. 668, for notes on the Qara Khitai army and warfare. Back to Saga #74 Table of Contents Back to Saga List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by Terry Gore This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com