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The Song of Roland The ''Song of Roland'' () is an 11th-century based on the deeds of the Frankish military leader Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in AD 778, during the reign of the Emperor Charlemagne. It is the oldest surviving major work of French li ...

'', Baligant is the

Emir Emir (; ' (), also Romanization of Arabic, transliterated as amir, is a word of Arabic language, Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocratic, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person po ...

of Babylon (i.e.,

Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...

, not the Mesopotamian Babylon), who brings an immense army to aid his vassal King Marsile (a.k.a. "Marsillion") in defending

Zaragoza Zaragoza (), traditionally known in English as Saragossa ( ), is the capital city of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributaries, the ...

(sometimes spelled "Saragossa") from

Charlemagne Charlemagne ( ; 2 April 748 – 28 January 814) was List of Frankish kings, King of the Franks from 768, List of kings of the Lombards, King of the Lombards from 774, and Holy Roman Emperor, Emperor of what is now known as the Carolingian ...

but is killed in the ensuing battle. He is sometimes described as a man from ancient times and is often seen as the parallel of Charlemagne, both being old, handsome and skillful with a sword. One might say they were equals, except that Charlemagne had the help of Saint Gabriel. The name ''Baligant'' is likely a folk-etymological rendering of Arabic or Turkish antroponymy. Baligant's banner is a dragon, and he also rides into battle with the banners of Tervagant and

Apollo Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...

. These standards are guarded, it seems, by ten men of Canileu. In the midst of the battle, he cries out to these deities to succour him against Charles. Baligant and Charles meet on the field as the day of battle turns to evening. They unhorse one another and rise with swords drawn to battle again, each sending blow after mighty blow upon the other's shield. In the midst of their combat each advises the other to repent: Baligant requests Charles' servitude, while Charles tries to convert the admiral to Christianity. Baligant then strikes Charles' helm, exposing his skull. Charles, however, hearing the voice of St. Gabriel, finds the strength to strike back, dealing Baligant a deathblow to the helm. It has been suggested that the tale of the battle between Baligant and Charlemagne was inspired by tales of returning Norman mercenaries about the

battle of Manzikert The Battle of Manzikert or Malazgirt was fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Empire on 26 August 1071 near Manzikert, Iberia (theme), Iberia (modern Malazgirt in Muş Province, Turkey). The decisive defeat of the Byzantine army ...

, reflecting the new danger arising in the East. He carried a sword named Précieuse.

References

External links

Short note about Baligant

Characters in The Song of Roland Emirs Male characters in literature Legendary Arab people Fictional Muslims Fictional Egyptian people {{lit-char-stub