Brainstorm: EA/MA/LA Arabian/Islamic themed nation

[Squirrelloid]

"The early 10th century chronicler al-tabari lists the following essential arms and armour for a warrior. Mail, breastplate, helmet leg guards, arm guards, horse armour, lance, shield, sword, mace, battle axe, quiver of thirty arrows, bowcase with two bows and two spare bow strings."

I'm actually surprised at the lance. My recollection of the first crusades was that, in addition to incessant infighting, the muslims were surprised by the european cavalry charge. I'm guessing the referenced translation is using 'lance' in a more general sense and actually means spear. (Lance can refer to any vaguely spearlike object used from horseback, but in the specific european context it was a highly specialized implement by the 11th century).

Which means as much as I like your lancers, I'm not convinced 'lancer' is appropriate.