Arab Infantry are light melee infantry usually armed with swords and are utilised primarily by the Moors and the Saracens in the early game. While those who can afford the large amounts of metal and food required will prefer to maintain a large retinue of spearmen instead, there are others who may not have access to mines or will not have sufficient food to raise such armies, and will have to turn to these units. In the Castle Age, Arab Infantry automatically upgrade to Swordsmen, placing the two Muslim factions on par with their Christian foes.