Editing Almoravid dynasty (section)

==Military organization==
[[Abdallah ibn Yasin]] imposed very strict disciplinary measures on his forces for every breach of his laws.<ref name="AIY religion">[[#Bakri|al-Bakri, pp. 169–72]].</ref> The Almoravids' first military leader, Yahya ibn Umar al-Lamtuni, gave them a good military organization. Their main force was infantry, armed with javelins in the front ranks and pikes behind, which formed into a phalanx,<ref name="bakri mil">[[#Bakri|al-Bakri, p. 166]].</ref> and was supported by camelmen and horsemen on the flanks.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=717}}<ref name="bakri mil"/> They also had a flag carrier at the front who guided the forces behind him; when the flag was upright, the combatants behind would stand and when it was turned down, they would sit.<ref name="bakri mil"/>

[[Al-Bakri]] reports that, while in combat, the Almoravids did not pursue those who fled in front of them.<ref name="bakri mil"/> Their fighting was intense and they did not retreat when disadvantaged by an advancing opposing force; they preferred death over defeat.<ref name="bakri mil"/> These characteristics were possibly unusual at the time.<ref name="bakri mil"/>

===Legends===
After the death of [[El Cid]], Christian chronicles reported a legend of a Turkish woman leading a band of 300 "Amazons", black female archers. This legend was possibly inspired by the ominous veils on the faces of the warriors and their dark skin colored blue by the indigo of their robes.{{Sfn|Messier|2010|p=118}}