Mardi ibn Ali al-Tarsusi was a 12th-century Ayyubid-era writer and expert on

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...

matters. He wrote a number of treatises, including a military manual for Saladin in 1187. His writings have proved an invaluable resource for medieval and military historians. Tarsusi 1187 military manual describes various throwing machines including mangonels and trebuchets. In ''On the Social Origins of Medieval Institutions'', more detailed quotes by Tarsusi may be found on the various types of trebuchets. The well known treatise was entitled , or "Information for the intelligent on how to escape injury in combat; and the unfurling of the banners of instruction on equipment and engines which assist in encounters with enemies."Needham 1986:42

Notes

References

* Claude Cahen, ''Un traité d'armurerie composé pour Saladin'', Bulletin d'études orientales, vol 12, 1947-1948, pp. 103–163 (edition and partial translation
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. * A. Boudot-Lamotte and F. Viré, ''Contribution à l'étude de l'archerie musulmane'', Institut français de Damas: Damascus, 1968, OCLC 2000537 (edition and translation of archery chapters from Murdî Ibn ˀAlî Murdî al-Tarsusî). *Needham, Joseph, ''Science and civilisation in China'', 1986, Cambridge University Press,
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* Nicolle, David; McBride, Angus; ''Saladin and the Saracens'', 1986, Osprey Publishing {{DEFAULTSORT:al-Tarsusi, Mardi ibn Ali Medieval military writers 12th-century Arabic-language writers Technology in the medieval Islamic world