Which of the following statements concerning the mercenary armies of the later Abbasid era is NOT accurate?
a. They helped foster the decline of the empire.
b. Despite their tendency toward random violence, they loyally defended the Abbasid caliphs.
c. They were consistently a major player in the factional contests for control of the capital and the empire.
d. Mercenary troops became a disruptive force in the life of Baghdad and other cities.
e. They often consisted largely of slave troops.
Answer: B