Byzantine army 2024951 224822438 2008-07-10T15:58:01Z DIREKTOR 3160007 /* Byzantine weapons */ {{Infobox War Faction |name= Byzantine Army |war= Wars of the [[Byzantine Empire]] |image= |caption= |active= 330 - 1453 AD |ideology= |leaders= [[Byzantine Emperor]] (Commander-in-chief) |headquarters=[[Constantinople]] |area= [[Balkans]], [[Asia Minor]], [[Middle East]], [[Italy]], [[North Africa]], [[Spania]], [[Caucasus]], [[Crimea]] |strength= |partof= [[Byzantine Empire]] |previous= [[Late Roman army]] |allies= [[Bulgars]], [[Crusader states]], [[Anatolian Turkish Beyliks]] |opponents= [[Goths]], [[Huns]], [[Sassanid Persia]], [[Vandals]], [[Ostrogothic Kingdom|Ostrogoths]], [[Eurasian Avars|Avars]], [[Slavs]], the [[Caliphate]], [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgaria]], [[Rus' (people)|Rus']], [[Normans]], [[Crusader states]], [[Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm|Seljuks]], [[Anatolian Turkish Beyliks]], [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] and others }} The '''Byzantine Army''' was the primary military body of the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] armed forces, serving alongside the [[Byzantine navy]]. A direct descendant of the older [[Roman army|Roman]] and [[Hellenistic armies|Hellenistic Greek]] armies<ref name=nicolle>Romano-Byzantine Armies 4th - 9th Century - Dr David Nicolle</ref>, the Byzantine Army maintained a similar level of discipline, strategic prowess and organization. The Early Byzantine army received a mixed diet of victory and defeat - consequently the [[cavalry]] arm became more prominent as the [[Roman legion|legions]] were abandoned. Later reforms reflected some [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] and [[Asian people|Asian]] influences<ref name=nicolle/> - with every encounter against a ferocious opponent the Byzantines would find a new source of excellent mercenaries with [[Huns]], [[Cumans]], [[Alans]] and (following the [[Battle of Manzikert]]) [[Turkic peoples|Turks]] sating the Empire's appetite for [[light cavalry]] [[Mercenary|mercenaries]]. Since much of the Byzantine military focused on the strategy and skill of generals utilizing [[militia]] troops, [[heavy infantry]] were recruited from [[Franks|Frankish]] and later [[Varangians|Varangian]] mercenaries. From the [[7th century]] to the [[11th century]] the Byzantine Army was among the most powerful and effective military forces - neither [[Dark Ages|Dark Age]] [[Europe]] nor the fracturing [[Caliphate]] could match the strategies and the efficiency of the Byzantine army that allowed it to fight with fewer resources. With one of the most powerful [[Byzantine economy|economies]] in the world at the time the Empire had the resources to put to the field a powerful host when needed. However the [[Theme (Byzantine administrative unit)|Theme system]] encouraged the growth of the [[Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy|aristocracy]] whose control over the military units decentralized the government. After the collapse of the Theme system in the 11th century, the Byzantines grew increasingly reliant on [[Tagma (military)|Tagmata]] troops which fought for pay rather than for duty as the Pronoiars and the Thema troops did. Consequently the loss of the [[Anatolia]]n land left the Empire with increasingly fewer resources to field such an expensive mercenary army and by the [[13th century]] the Byzantine army was a mere shadow of its former self. To the end the Empire remained resourceful with ample weapons available for the inadequetly trained militia of [[Constantinople]], yet lacking in technology. Today the tactics utilized by the Byzantine army is studied by various militaries of the modern world.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} == History == Just as the [[Byzantine Empire]] was a continuation of the [[Roman Empire]], so the Byzantine army was an outgrowth of the [[Late Roman army|Late Roman structure]], which largely survived until the mid-[[7th century]]. In the period after the [[Muslim conquests]], which saw the loss of Syria and Egypt, the remainders of the provincial armies were withdrawn and settled in [[Asia Minor]], initiating the [[thema|thematic system]]. Despite this unprecedented disaster, the internal structures of the army remained much the same, and there is a remarkable continuity in tactics and doctrine between the 6th and 11th centuries. The [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071 and the subsequent [[Seljuks|Seljuk]] invasions, together with the arrival of the [[Crusades]] and the incursions of the [[Normans]], would severely weaken the Byzantine state and its military, which increasingly had to rely on foreign mercenaries. === The army under Diocletian and Constantine === {{main|Late Roman army}} [[Image:Constantin I.JPG|thumb|Emperor [[Constantine I]].]] The Eastern Empire dates from the creation of the [[Tetrarchy]] ("Quadrumvirate") by the Emperor [[Diocletian]] in 293. His plans for succession did not outlive his lifetime, but his reorganization of the army did by centuries. Rather than maintain the traditional infantry-heavy legions,{{Fact|date=June 2007}} Diocletian reformed it into ''limitanei'' ("border") and ''comitatenses'' ("field") units. There was an expansion of the importance of the [[cavalry]], though the [[infantry]] still remained the major component of the Roman armies, in contrast to common belief. For example, in 478, an Eastern field army consisted of 8,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry{{Fact|date=June 2007}} and it can be calculated that in 357 Emperor [[Julian the Apostate|Julian]] had 10,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry at Strasbourg.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} But the importance of cavalry for the commanding officers, though not the numbers, did increase, and by the time of Justinian, the numbers had increased, too.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} The ''limitanei'' and ''ripenses'' were to occupy the ''[[limes]]'', the Roman border fortifications. The field units, by contrast, were to stay well behind the border and move quickly where they were needed, whether for offensive or defensive roles, as well as forming an army against usurpers. The field units were held to high standards and took precedence over Limitanei in pay and provisions. Cavalry formed about 1/3 of the units, but as a result of smaller units, about 1/4 of the Roman armies consisted of cavalry. About half the cavalry consisted of heavy cavalry (including the ''stablesiani'').{{Fact|date=June 2007}} They were armed with spear or lance and sword and armored in mail. Some had bows, but they were meant for supporting the charge instead of independent skirmishing.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} In the field armies there was a component of some 15% of [[cataphract]]arii or [[clibanarii]], heavily armoured cavalry who used shock tactics. The light cavalry (including the ''scutarii'' and ''promoti'') featured high amongst the limitanei, being very useful troops on patrol. They included horse archers (''Equites Sagitarii'')y. The infantry of the ''comitatenses'' was organized in regiments (variously named ''legiones'', ''auxilia'' or just ''numeri'') of about 500-1,200 men. They were still the heavy infantry of old, with a spear or sword, shield, body armour and a helmet. But now each regiment was supported by a detachment of archers and some skirmishers.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} If needed, the infantry could take off (some of) their armour to act in a more flexible way as Modares did (according to [[Zosimus]]) during the [[Gothic War]] of the [[370s]].{{Fact|date=June 2007}} The regiments were commanded by a ''tribunus'' ("tribune") and brigaded in pairs{{Fact|date=June 2007}} (cavalry units did, too) under a ''[[comes]]''. These brigades probably were tactical and strategic units only, as no traces survive of brigade staff corps. On the other hand, little is known of the limitanei. The old legions, [[cohort]]s and cavalry [[Ala (Roman military)|ala]]e survived there, and newer units were created (the new legions, or ''auxilia'' and ''[[vexillatio]]nes'', amongst the cavalry. The limitanei infantry may have been lighter-equipped than the [[comitatenses]] infantry, but there is no evidence whatsoever. They were paid less than the field troops and recruited locally. Consequently, they were of inferior quality. However, they were in the line of fire. They countered most incursions and raids. Thus, it can be assumed they did have superior field experience (except in periods of long campaigning for the comitatenses), though that experience did not extend to large battles and sieges. The ''[[Scholae Palatinae]]'' units, which were more properly known as the ''Schola Protectores Domestici'' and the "Protective Association of the Royal Escort" (also called the ''Obsequium''), were the personal guard of the Emperor, and were created to replace the [[Praetorian Guard]] disbanded by [[Constantine I]]. The legions in the third and fourth century were not the legions of the Republic or earlier Roman empire, that they consisted largely or solely of equites troops,{{Fact|date=June 2007}} and that they tended to be far short of the Augustinian legion component of 5,000 men. === The Army of Justinian I and his successors=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} === The armies of the middle Byzantine period, 7th-11th centuries === ==== The ''Themata'' ==== {{details|Thema}} [[Image:Byzantine Empire Themata-650.png|thumb|250px|The original Byzantine ''themata'' in ''c.'' 650. Aside from the too early date, the map is erroneous in depicting the themes of ''Optimatōn'' and ''Bukellariōn'' (not established until the mid-8th century), and the Cibyrrhaeotic Theme (still called the Carabisian Theme).]] The ''[[thema]]ta'' (Gr. θέματα) were administrative divisions of the empire in which a general (Gr. [[strategos|στρατηγός]]) exercised both civilian and military jurisdiction. The name is peculiar; Treadgold's closest guess is that thema was being used to denote "emplacements". The five original themata were all in [[Asia Minor]] and originated from the earlier mobile field armies. They were: * the '''Armeniac Theme''' ({{Polytonic|Θέμα Άρμενιάκων}}, ''Thema Armeniakōn''), first mentioned in 667, was the successor of the Army of Armenia. It occupied the old areas of the [[Pontus]], [[Armenia Minor]] and northern [[Cappadocia]], with its capital at [[Amasea]] * the '''Anatolic Theme''' ({{Polytonic|Θέμα Άνατολικῶν}}, ''Thema Anatolikōn''), first mentioned in 669, was the successor of the Army of the [[Diocese of Oriens|East]] ({{Polytonic|Άνατολῆ}}). It covered central Asia Minor, and its capital was [[Amorium]]. * the '''Opsician Theme''' ({{Polytonic|Θέμα Ὀψικίου}}, ''Thema Opsikiou''), first mentioned in 680, was where the imperial retinue (in Latin ''Obsequium''), was established. It covered northwestern Asia Minor ([[Bithynia]], [[Paphlagonia]] and parts of [[Galatia]]), and was based at [[Nicaea]]. Its commander bore the title of ''komēs'' ("count") * the '''Thracesian Theme''' (Θέμα Θρακησίων, ''Thema Thrakēsiōn''), first mentioned in 680, was the successor of the Army of [[Diocese of Thrace|Thrace]]. It covered the central western coast of Asia Minor ([[Ionia]], [[Lydia]] and [[Caria]]), with capital at [[Ephesos]]. * the '''Theme of the Carabisiani''' (Θέμα Kαραβησιάνων, ''Thema Karavēsianōn''), first mentioned in 680, was the successor of the Army of the Illyricum or the old ''[[quaestura exercitus]]''. It occupied the southern coats of Asia Minor and the Aegean Islands, with its capital at [[Attaleia]]. It was a naval theme (κάραβις means "ship"), and its commander bore the title of ''[[droungarios]]''. Within each theme, eligible men were given grants of land to support their families and to equip themselves. Following revolts strengthened by the large size of these divisions, [[Leo III the Isaurian]], [[Theophilus]], and [[Leo VI the Wise]] all responded by breaking the themes up into smaller areas and dividing control over the armies within each theme into various ''tourmai''. Further, instead of expanding existing themes, the emperors of the resurgent [[Macedonian dynasty]] tended to create new ones in the areas they conquered. By the time of the writing of ''[[De Thematibus]]'' in the tenth century, [[Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus]] listed twenty-eight ''themata''. Sicily had been completely lost to the expanding [[Emirate of Sicily]] at the beginning of Constantine VII's reign in [[905]] and Cyprus was a [[Condominium (international law)|condominium]] jointly administered with the [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]]ate until its reconquest by [[Nicephorus II|Nicephorus II Phocas]] in [[965]]. Constantinople itself was under an [[eparch]]os (earlier the ''praefectus urbi'') and protected by the numerous ''tagmata'' and police forces. Under the direction of the thematic ''strategoi'', ''tourmarchai'' commanded from two up to four divisions of soldiers and territory, called ''tourmai''. Under them, the ''droungarioi'' headed subdivisions called ''droungoi'', each with a thousand soldiers. On the field, these units would be further divided into ''banda'' with a nominal strength of 300 men, although at times reduced to little more than 50. Again, the fear of empowering effective revolts was largely behind these subdivisions.<ref>Treadgold.</ref> The following table illustrates the thematic structure as found in the Thracesian Theme, circa 902-936. {| border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 align=center style="border-collapse:collapse; border:0 none; vertical-align:top;" frame=void rules=rows |- valign=bottom style="border-bottom:3px double #999;" ! align=left | Name ! align=left | No. of personnel ! align=left | No. of subordinate units ! align=left | Officer in command |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | Themata | 9 600 | 4 Merẽ | Strategus |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | Turma, Meros | 2 400 | 6 Drungi | Turmarch |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | Drungus | 400 | 2 Banda | Drungary |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | Bandum | 200 | 2 "Centuria" | Count |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | "[[Centuria|Century]]" | 100 | 10 "Contubernia" | Hecatontarch |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | | 50 | 5 "Contubernia" | Pentecontarch |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | "[[Contubernium]]" | 10 | 1 "Vanguard*" + 1 "Rear Guard*" | Decarch |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | "Vanguard*" | 5 | n/a | Pentrarch |- valign=top style="border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | "Rear Guard*" | 4 | n/a | Tetrarch |} *Note: The terms have been Latinized and terms in quotations are contignuations of the Roman Legion system or * direct translations.<ref>''"Byzantium and Its Armies, 284-1081", Warren Treadgold,1995''</ref> ==== The Imperial ''tagmata'' ==== {{details|Tagmata}} The ''tagmata'' (τάγματα, "Battalions") were the professional standing army of the Empire, formed by Emperor [[Constantine V]] after the suppression of a major revolt in the Opsician Theme in 741-743. Anxious to safeguard his throne from the frequent revolts of the thematic armies, Constantine reformed the old guard units of Constantinople into the new ''tagmata'' regiments, which were meant to provide the emperor with a core of professional and loyal troops.<ref>Haldon (1999), p. 78</ref> They were typically headquartered in or around Constantinople, although in later ages they sent detachments to the provinces. They were exclusively heavy cavalry units, formed the core of the imperial army on campaign, augmented by the provincial levies of thematic troops, who were more concerned with local defense. The four main ''tagmata'' were: :* the ''[[Scholae Palatinae|Scholai]]'' (Gr. Σχολαί, "the Schools"), the most senior unit, the direct successor of the imperial guards established by [[Constantine the Great]]. :* the ''[[Excubitors|Exkoubitoi]]'' or ''Exkoubitores'' (Lat. ''Excubiti'', Gr. {{polytonic|Ἐξκούβιτοι}}, "the Sentinels"), established by [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I]]. :* the ''Arithmos'' (Gr. {{polytonic|Ἀριθμός}}, "Number") or ''Vigla'' (Gr. Βίγλα, from the Latin word for "Watch"), promoted from thematic troops by the Empress [[Irene (empress)|Eirene]] in the 780s, but of far older ancestry, as the archaic names of its ranks indicate.<ref>Haldon (1999), p. 11</ref> The regiment performed special duties on campaign, including guarding the imperial camp, relaying the Emperor's orders, and guarding prisoners of war.<ref name=Bury60>J. B. Bury, p. 60</ref> :* the ''Hikanatoi'' (Gr. {{polytonic|Ἱκανάτοι}}, "the Able Ones"), established by Emperor [[Nicephorus I]] in 810.<ref name=Bury48>J. B. Bury, p. 48</ref> There were also auxiliary ''tagmata'', such as the ''Noumeroi'' (Gr. Νούμεροι), a garrison unit for Constantinople, which probably included the ''Teichistai'' or ''tōn Teicheōn'' regiment (Gr. των Τειχέων, "of the Walls"), manning the [[Walls of Constantinople]].<ref name=Bury48/>, and the ''Optimatoi'' (Gr. {{polytonic|Ὀπτιμάτοι}}, "the Best"), a support unit responsible for the mules of the army's baggage train (the ''touldon'').<ref>Haldon (1999), p. 158</ref> There was also the ''Hetaireia'' (Gr. {{polytonic|Ἑταιρεῖα}}, "[[Companion cavalry|Companions]]"), which comprised the various mercenary corps in Imperial service, subdivided in Greater, Middle and Lesser, each commanded by a ''Hetaireiarchēs'' In addition to these more or less stable units, any number of shorter-lived tagmata were formed as pet units of various emperors. [[Michael II]] raised the ''Tessarakontarioi'', a special marine unit, and [[John I Tzimisces]] created a corps called the ''Athanatoi'' (Gr. Αθάνατοι, the "Immortals") after the old Persian unit. === The army during the Komnenian dynasty === {{main|Komnenian army}} ==== Establishment and successes ==== [[Image:JohnIIcomnenus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Emperor [[John II Komnenos]] became renowned for his superb generalship and conducted many successful sieges. Under his leadership, the Byzantine army reconquered substantial territories from the Turks.]] At the beginning of the Komnenian period in 1081, the Byzantine Empire had been reduced to the smallest territorial extent in its history. Surrounded by enemies, and financially ruined by a long period of civil war, the empire's prospects had looked grim. Yet, through a combination of skill, determination and years of campaigning, [[Alexios I Komnenos]], [[John II Komnenos]] and [[Manuel I Komnenos]] managed to restore the power of the Byzantine Empire by constructing a new army from the ground up. The new force is known as the Komnenian army. It was both professional and disciplined. It contained formidable guards units such as the Varangian Guard and the Immortals (a unit of heavy cavalry) stationed in Constantinople, and also levies from the provinces. These levies included Kataphraktoi cavalry from Macedonia, Thessaly and Thrace, and various other provincial forces from regions such as the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor. Under John II, a Macedonian division was maintained, and new native Byzantine troops were recruited from the provinces. As Byzantine Asia Minor began to prosper under John and Manuel, more soldiers were raised from the Asiatic provinces of Neokastra, Paphlagonia and even Seleucia (in the south east). Soldiers were also drawn from defeated peoples, such as the Pechenegs (cavalry archers), and the Serbs, who were used as settlers stationed at Nicomedia. Native troops were organised into regular units and stationed in both the Asian and European provinces. Komnenian armies were also often reinforced by allied contingents from Antioch, Serbia and Hungary, yet even so they generally consisted of about two-thirds Byzantine troops to one-third foreigners. Units of archers, infantry and cavalry were grouped together so as to provide combined arms support to each other. This Komnenian army was a highly effective, well-trained and well-equipped force, capable of campaigning in Egypt, Hungary, Italy and Palestine. However, like many aspects of the Byzantine state under the Komneni, its biggest weakness was that it relied on a powerful and competent ruler to direct and maintain its operations. While Alexios, John and Manuel ruled (''c.'' 1081-''c.'' 1180), the Komnenian army provided the empire with a period of security that enabled Byzantine civilization to flourish. Yet, as we shall see, at the end of the twelfth century the competent leadership upon which the effectiveness of the Komnenian army depended largely disappeared. The consequences of this breakdown in command were to prove disastrous for the Byzantine Empire. ==== Neglect under the Angeloi ==== [[Image:Byzantium in 1170(3).PNG|thumb|right|400px|Map of the Byzantine Empire under Manuel Komnenos, ''c.'' 1180]] In the year 1185, the emperor [[Andronikos I Komnenos]] died. With him died the [[Komnenos]] dynasty, which had provided a series of militarily competent emperors for over a century. They were replaced by the Angeloi, who have the reputation of being the most unsuccessful dynasty ever to occupy the Byzantine throne. The army of the Byzantine empire at this point was highly centralised. It was dominated by a system in which the emperor gathered together his forces and personally led them against hostile armies and strongholds. Generals were closely controlled, and all arms of the state looked to Constantinople for instruction and reward. However, the inaction and ineptitude of the Angeloi quickly lead to a collapse in Byzantine military power, both at sea and on land. Surrounded by a crowd of slaves, mistresses and flatterers, they permitted the empire to be administered by unworthy favourites, while they squandered the money wrung from the provinces on costly buildings and expensive gifts to the churches of the metropolis. They scatterred money so lavishly as to empty the treasury, and allowed such licence to the officers of the army as to leave the Empire practically defenceless. Together, they consummated the financial ruin of the state. The empire's enemies lost no time in taking advantage of this new situation. In the east the Turks invaded the empire, gradually eroding Byzantine control in Asia Minor. Meanwhile in the west, the Serbs and Hungarians broke away from the empire for good, and in [[Bulgaria]] the oppressiveness of Angeloi taxation resulted in the [[Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion]] late in 1185. The rebellion led to the establishment of the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] on territory which had been vital to the empire's security in the Balkans. [[Kaloyan]] of Bulgaria annexed several important cities, while the Angeloi squandered the public treasure on palaces and gardens and attempted to deal with the crisis through diplomatic means. Byzantine authority was severely weakened, and the growing power vacuum at the centre of the empire encouraged fragmentation, as the provinces began to look to local strongmen rather than the government in Constantinople for protection. This further reduced the resources available to the empire and its military system, as large regions passed outside central control. ===Analysis of the Byzantine military collapse=== ==== Structural weaknesses ==== It was in this situation that the disintegration of the military [[theme system|'theme' system]], which had been the foundation of the empire's remarkable success from the eighth to eleventh centuries, revealed itself as a real catastrophe for the Byzantine state. The first advantage of the theme system had been its numerical strength. It is thought that the Byzantine field army under [[Manuel I Komnenos]] (r. 1143-1180) had numbered some 40,000 men. However, there is evidence that the thematic armies of earlier centuries had provided the empire with a numerically superior force. The army of the theme of Thrakesion alone had provided about 9,600 men in the period 902-936, for example. Furthermore, the thematic armies had been stationed in the provinces, and their greater independence from central command meant that they were able to deal with threats quickly at a local level. This, combined with their greater numbers, allowed them to provide greater defense in depth. The other key advantage of the theme system was that it had offered the Byzantine state good value for money. It provided a means of cheaply mobilising large numbers of men. The demise of the system meant that armies became more expensive in the long run, which reduced the numbers of troops that the emperors could afford to employ. The considerable wealth and diplomatic skill of the Komnenian emperors, their constant attention to military matters, and their frequent energetic campaigning, had largely countered this change. But the luck of the empire in having the talented Komneni to provide capable leadership was not a long term solution to a structural problem in the Byzantine state itself. After the death of Manuel I Komnenos in 1180, the Angeloi had not lavished the same care on the military as the Komneni had done, and the result was that these structural weakness began to manifest themselves in military decline. From 1185 on, Byzantine emperors found it increasingly difficult to muster and pay for sufficient military forces, while their incompetence exposed the limitations of the entire Byzantine military system, dependent as it was on competent personal direction from the emperor. The culmination of the empire's military disintegration under the Angeloi was reached on [[13 April]] [[1204]], when the armies of the [[Fourth Crusade]] sacked Constantinople and dismantled the Byzantine Empire. The old Byzantine empire was at an end. ==== Conclusion ==== Thus, the problem was not so much that the Komnenian army was any less effective in battle (the thematic army's success rate was just as varied as that of its Komnenian counterpart); it is more the case that, because it was a smaller, more centralised force, the twelfth century army required a greater degree of competent direction from the emperor in order to be effective. Although formidable under an energetic leader, the Komnenian army did not work so well under incompetent or uninterested emperors. The greater independence and resilience of the thematic army had provided the early empire with a structural advantage that was now lost. For all of the reasons above, it is possible to argue that the demise of the theme system was a great loss to the Byzantine empire. Although it took centuries to become fully apparent, one of the main institutional strengths of the Byzantine state was now gone. Thus it was not the army itself that was to blame for the decline of the empire, but rather the system that supported it. Without strong underlying institutions that could endure beyond the reign of each emperor, the state was extremely vulnerable in times of crisis. Byzantium had come to rely too much on individual emperors, and its continued survival was now no longer certain. === Armies of the successor states and of the Palaeologi === {{details|Palaiologan army}} [[Image:Byzantium1270.png|thumb|right|400px|Map of the Byzantine Empire in ''c.'' 1270. After the damage caused by the collapse of the theme system, the mismanagement of the Angeloi and the catastrophe of the Fourth Crusade, for which the Angeloi were largely to blame, it proved impossible to restore the empire to the position it had held under Manuel Komnenos.]] After 1204 the emperors of Nicaea continued some aspects of the system established by the Komneni. However, despite the restoration of the empire in 1261, the Byzantines never again possessed the same levels of wealth, territory and manpower that had been available to the Komnenian emperors and their predecessors. As a result, the military was constantly short of funds. After the death of [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] in 1282, unreliable mercenaries such as the grand [[Catalan Company]] came to form an ever larger proportion of the remaining forces. At the [[fall of Constantinople]] in 1453, the Byzantine army totalled about 7,000 men, 2,000 of whom were foreign mercenaries. Against the 80,000 [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] troops besieging the city, the odds were hopeless. The Byzantines resisted the third attack by the Sultan's elite [[Janissaries]] and according to some accounts on both sides were on the brink of repelling them, but a [[Genoa]]n general in charge of a section of the defense, [[Giovanni Giustiniani]], was grievously wounded during the attack, and his evacuation from the ramparts caused a panic in the ranks of the defenders. Many of the Italians, who were paid by Giustiniani himself, fled the battle. Some historians suggest that the Kerkoporta gate in the [[Blachernae]] section had been left unlocked, and the Ottomans soon discovered this mistake -although accounts indicate that this gain for the Ottomans was in fact contained by defenders and pushed back.{{Facts|date=February 2007}} The Ottomans rushed in. Emperor [[Constantine XI]] himself led the last defense of the city, and throwing aside his purple regalia, dove headfirst into the rushing Ottomans, dying in the ensuing battle in the streets, along with his soldiers. The fall of the capital meant the end of the Byzantine empire. The Byzantine army, the last surviving direct descendant of the [[Roman legion]]s, was finished. === Manpower === The exact size and composition of the Byzantine army and its units is a matter of considerable debate, due to the scantness and ambiguous nature of the primary sources. The following table contains approximate estimates. All estimates excludes the number of oarsmen, for those estimates see [[Byzantine Navy]]. {{Simple timeline |event-title=Army |type=style="" |300|311,000<ref name="Treadgold145">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 145</ref> |457|303,000<ref name="Treadgold145">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 145</ref> |518|271,000<ref name="Treadgold277">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 277</ref> |540|341,000<ref name="Treadgold277">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 277</ref> |565|150,000<ref name="Norwich259">J. Norwich, ''Byzantium: The Early Centuries'', 259</ref> (field troops only) |641|109,000<ref name="Treadgold374">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 374</ref> |668|109,000<ref name="Treadgold412">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 412</ref> |773|80,000<ref name="Treadgold373">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 373</ref> |809|90,000<ref name="Treadgold547">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 547</ref> |840|120,000<ref name="Treadgold537">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 537</ref> |959|144,000<ref name="Treadgold576">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 576</ref> |963|150,000<ref name="Treadgold537">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 537</ref> |1025|250,000<ref>Treadgold (1995), p. 85</ref> |1092|70,000<ref name="Konstam141">A. Konstam, ''Historical Atlas of the Crusades'', 141</ref> |1118|20,000<ref name="Treadgold612">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 612</ref> (field troops only) |1143|30,000<ref>J. Haldon, ''The Byzantine Wars''</ref> (field troops only) |1180|40,000<ref>J. Haldon, ''The Byzantine Wars''</ref> (field troops only) |1282|10,000<ref name="Treadgold819">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 819</ref> (field troops only) |1321|3,000<ref name="Treadgold819">W. Treadgold, ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society'', 819</ref> (field troops only) |1453|1,500<ref name="Heath37">I. Heath, ''Byzantine Armies: AD 1118-1461'', 37</ref> (field troops only) }} ==Byzantine troop types== ===Kataphraktoi=== The word [[cataphract]] (from the Greek κατάφρακτος, ''kataphraktos'') was what [[Greek language|Greek]]- and later [[Latin]]-speaking peoples used to describe heavy cavalry. Historically the cataphract was a heavily-armed and armoured cavalryman who saw action from the earliest days of [[classical antiquity|Antiquity]] up through the [[High Middle Ages]]. Originally, the term cataphract referred to a type of armour worn to cover the whole body and that of the horse. Eventually the term described the trooper himself. The cataphracts were both fearsome and disciplined. Both man and horse were heavily armoured, the riders equipped with lances, bows and maces. These troops were slow compared to other cavalry, but their effect on the battlefield, particularly under the Emperor [[Nikephoros II]], was devastating. More heavily armoured types of cataphract were called ''clibanarii'' (''klibanaphoroi''). These were eventually subsumed by the cataphract, and as such most Byzantine heavy cavalry became known as cataphracts. === Cavalry === [[Image:Battle of Dara-battleplan.png|thumb|left|Deployment of the armies in the [[Battle of Dara]] (530), in which Byzantium employed various foreign mercenary soldiers, including the [[Huns]].]] The Byzantine cavalry were usually armed with bows, lances and swords, they were ideally suited to combat on the plains of [[Anatolia]] and northern [[Syria]], which, from the seventh century onwards, constituted the principal battleground in the struggle against the forces of [[Islam]]. While not as heavily armed and armoured as western [[Knights]], they were particularly effective against both the [[Arabs]] and [[Turkic peoples|Turks]] in the east, and the [[Hungarians]] and [[Pechenegs]] in the west. === Infantry === The Byzantine Empire's military tradition originated in the late Roman period, and its armies always included professional infantry soldiers. Though they varied in relative importance during the Byzantine army's history, under [[Basil II]] in particular heavy infantry were an important component of the Byzantine army. These troops generally had [[chainmail|mail armour]], large shields, and were armed with swords and spears. Under militarily competent emperors such as Basil II, they were among the best heavy infantry in the world. ===Pronoiars=== Pronoiar troops began to appear during the twelfth century, particularly during the reign of the emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos]] (1143-1180). These were soldiers paid in land instead of money, but they did not operate under the old [[thema|theme system]] of the middle Byzantine period. Pronoiai developed into essentially a license to tax the citizens who lived within the boundaries of the grant (the paroikoi). Pronoiars (those who had been granted a pronoia) became something like tax collectors, who were allowed to keep some of the revenue they collected. These men are therefore generally considered to have been the Byzantine equivalent of western knights: part soldiers, part local rulers. However, it is important to note that the emperor was still the legal owner of the Pronoiars' land. Usually cavalry, pronoiars would have been equipped with mail armour, lances, and horse barding. Manuel re-equipped his heavy cavalry in western style at some point during his reign; it is likely that many of these troops would have been pronoiars. These troops became particularly common after 1204, in the service of the [[Empire of Nicaea]] in western [[Asia Minor]]. ===[[Akritoi]]=== ''Akrites'' (plural ''Akritoi'' or ''Akritai'') were defenders of the Anatolian borders of the Empire. They appeared after either the Arab conquests, or much later when Turkish tribes raided Anatolia from the east. The Akritoi units were formed from native Greeks living near the eastern borders. Whether such men were really soldier-farmers or lived on rents from smallholdings while concentrating on their military duties is still a matter of debate. The Akritoi were probably mostly light troops, armed with bows and javelins. They were most adept at defensive warfare, often against raiding Turkish light horsemen in the Anatolian mountains, but could also cover the advance of the regular Byzantine army. Their tactics probably consisted of skirmishing and ambushes in order to catch the fast-moving Turkish horsearchers. ==Foreign and mercenary soldiers== [[Image:Histamenon nomisma-Nicephorus II and Basil II-sb1776.jpg|thumb|300px|Coin of emperor [[Basil II]], founder of the [[Varangian Guard]].]] The Byzantine army frequently employed foreign mercenary troops from many different regions. These troops often supplemented or assisted the empire's regular forces; at times, they even formed the bulk of the Byzantine army. But for most of the Byzantine army's long history, foreign and military soldiers reflected the wealth and might of the [[Byzantine empire]], for the emperor who was able to gather together armies from all corners of the known world was formidable. Foreign troops during the late Roman period were known as the ''[[foederati]]'' ("allies") in Latin, and during the Byzantine period were known as the ''Phoideratoi'' (Gr. Φοιδεράτοι) in Greek. From this point, foreign troops (mainly mercenaries) were known as the [[Hetairoi]] (Gr. Ἑταιρείαι, "Companionships") and most frequently employed in the [[Praetorian Guard|Imperial Guard]]. This force was in turn divided into the Great Companionships (Μεγάλη Εταιρεία), the Middle Companionships (Μέση Εταιρεία), and the Minor Companionships (Μικρά Εταιρεία), commanded by their respective ''Hetaireiarches'' - "Companionship lords". These may have been divided upon a religious basis separating the Christian subjects, Christian foreigners, and non-Christians, respectively.<ref>[[Constantine VII]], ''The Book of Ceremonies''.</ref> Additionally, during the [[Komnenos|Komnenian]] period, the mercenary units would simply be divided by ethnicity and called after their native lands: the Inglinoi (Englishmen), the Phragkoi (Franks), the Skythikoi (Scythians), the Latinikoi (Latins), and so on. Ethiopians even served during the reign of [[Theophilus (emperor)|Theophilos]]. These mercenary units, especially the Skythikoi, were also often used as a police force in Constantinople. The most famous of all Byzantine regiments was the legendary [[Varangian Guard]]. This unit traced its roots to the 6,000 Rus sent to Emperor [[Basil II]] by [[Vladimir I, Prince of Kiev|Vladimir of Kiev]] in [[988]]. The tremendous fighting abilities of these axe-wielding, barbarian Northerners and their intense loyalty (bought with much gold) established them as an elite body, which soon rose to become the Emperors' personal bodyguard. This is further exemplified by the title of their commander, ''Akolouthos'' (Ακόλουθος, "Acolyte/follower" to the Emperor). Initially the Varangians were mostly of [[Scandinavian history|Scandinavian]] origin, but later the guard came to include many [[Anglo-Saxons]] (after the Norman Conquest) as well. The Varangian Guard fought at the [[Battle of Beroia]] in 1122 with great distinction, and were present at the [[Battle of Sirmium]] in 1167, in which the Byzantine army smashed the forces of the [[Kingdom of Hungary]]. The Varangian Guard is thought to have been disbanded after the sack of [[Constantinople]] by the forces of the [[Fourth Crusade]] in [[1204]]{{Fact|date=April 2007}}; nearly all contemporary accounts agreed that they were the most important Byzantine unit present and were instrumental in driving off the first Crusader assaults. == Byzantine weapons == {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} The weapons most commonly used by Byzantine soldiers were swords spears, maces, slings and bows. The [[sword]] (''xiphos'') was the primary weapon and many sword types (straight, curved, one- and two-handed) are depicted in the illustrations. According to the ''Strategika'', by the sixth century the short Roman ''gladius'' had been abandoned in favor of a long two-edged sword, the spathion, used by both the infantry and cavalry. The tenth century ''Sylloge tacticorum'' gives the length of this kind of sword as the equivalent of 94 cm and mentions a new [[saber]]-like sword of the same length, the'' paramerion'', a curved one-edged slashing weapon for cavalrymen. Both weapons could be carried from a belt or by a shoulder strap. Infantrymen and cavalrymen carried [[spear]]s for thrusting and casting. Cavalrymen of the sixth and seventh century wielded lances with a thong in the middle of the shaft (Avar style) and a pennant. Infantrymen's spears (''kontaria'') in the tenth century were 4-4.5 meters long (cavalry lances were slightly shorter) with an iron point (''xipharion'', ''aichme''). One type of spear, the ''menaulion'', is described in detail; it was very thick, taken whole from young oak or cornel saplings and capped by a long blade (45-50 cm), for use by especially strong infantrymen (called ''menaulatoi'' after their weapon) against enemy ''kataphraktoi'' - an excellent example of a weapon and a type of specialized soldier developed for a specific tactical role. Both light infantry and cavalry carried javelins (akontia, riptaria) no longer than three meters. [[Mace]]s (''rabdia'') and [[axe]]s (''pelekia'', ''tzikouria'') served as shock weapons. The tenth century ''kataphraktoi'' carried heavy all-iron maces (''siderorabdia'') - six-, four- or three-cornered - to smash their way through enemy infantry. Infantrymen either hurled maces and battle-axes at the enemy or used them in hand-to-hand combat; the axe was the preferred weapon of the mercenaries from Rus' of the tenth and eleventh centuries. Axes were single-bladed (rounded or straight edged), sometimes with a spike opposite the blade. The [[sling]] (''sphendone'') and the [[bow]] (''toxon'') were the weapons used by light soldiers. Slings were the ordinary hand-held type; the Roman staff sling (''fustibalis'') was apparently little used. The Byzantine bow, like the late Roman bow, was the composite, reflex type featuring an unbendable horn grip with the reinforced wooden bowstave slung in reverse of the bow's natural flex whe unstrung. A bowshot (flight, not target, range) is over three hundred meters for for an infantry bow, but cavalry bows, standing 1.2 meters high, were smaller and less tightly strung for greater accuracy and ease of handling, they had a flight range of 130-35 meters. The ''solenarion'' is a hollow tube through which an archer could launch several small arrows (''mues'', i.e., "mice") at a time; Anna Komnene remarked that the Crusader's Western-type crossbow, which she called a ''tzangra'', was unknown to Byzantium before the 12th century. ==== Evidence for Weapons ==== Representational evidence, including propaganda monuments, gravestones, tombs, and the Exodus fresco, often shows Roman soldiers with one or two spears; one tombstone shows a soldier with five shorter javelins.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 54-58.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 151-152, 175 & 200-202.</ref> Archaeological evidence, from Roman burials and Scandinavian bog-deposits, shows similar spearheads, though the shafts are rarely preserved.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 52-60.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 151 & 200-202.</ref> Representational evidence sometimes still shows Roman swords.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 61-63.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 154-163 & 202-205.</ref> Archaeological evidence shows that the gladius has disappeared; various short ''semispathae'' supplement the older ''pugiones''<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 76-80.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 154, 164 & 202.</ref> while medium-long ''spathae'' replace the medium-short ''gladii''.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 61-63.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 154-157 & 202-205.</ref> These have the same straight double-edged blades as older Roman swords.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 61-80.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 154-164 & 202-205.</ref> Representational evidence and recovered laths, as well as arrowheads and bracers, show Roman use of composite bows.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 81-88.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 164-168 & 205-206.</ref> ==== Evidence for Shields ==== Representational evidence, recovered bosses, and some complete shields from Dara, show that most Roman infantry and some Roman cavalry carried shields.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 15-24.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 179-182 & 216-218.</ref> ==== Evidence for Armor ==== Although the representational evidence, including gravestones and tombs, usually shows soldiers without armor, the archaeological evidence includes remains of scale armor, mail armor, and helmets.<ref>Stephenson, I.P., 2001, ''Roman Infantry Equipment'', pp. 25-51.</ref><ref>Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., 2006, ''Roman Military Equipment: From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome'', pp. 170-178 & 208-216.</ref> == Byzantine military philosophy == {{see|Byzantine battle tactics}} Despite the importance the Byzantine Empire attached to its position as the defender of true, orthodox Christianity against Muslim and Catholic alike, it is worth noting that the Empire never developed or understood the concept of a "[[holy war]]". Its neighbours' concepts of [[Jihad]] and [[Crusade]] seemed to it gross perversions of scripture or simple excuses for looting and destruction. Emperors, generals and military theorists alike found war to be a failing of governance and political relations, to be avoided whenever possible. Only wars waged defensively or to avenge a wrong could in any sense be considered just, and in such cases the Byzantines felt that God would protect them. ==Major battles of the Byzantine Empire== [[Image:Crusades surprised by turks.jpg|thumb|250px|This image by Gustave Dore shows the Turkish ambush at the [[battle of Myriokephalon]] (1176)]] ===Early Byzantine period=== *[[Battle of Callinicum]] (531) *[[Battle of Tricamarum]] (533) *[[Battle of Taginae]] (552) *[[Battle of Nineveh]] (627) *[[Battle of Mu'tah]] (629) *[[Battle of Firaz]] (634) *[[Battle of Ajnadayn]] (634) *[[Battle of Fahl]] (635) *[[Battle of Yarmouk]] (636) *[[Battle of Iron bridge|Battle of Iron Bridge]] (637) *[[Battle of Ongala]] (680) *[[Battle of Carthage (698)]] *[[Siege of Constantinople (718)]] ===Middle Byzantine period=== *[[Battle of Pliska]] (811) *[[Battle of Bulgarophygon]] (896) *[[Battle of Anchialus]] (917) *[[Battle of Kleidion]] (1014) *[[Battle of Manzikert]] (1071) *[[Battle of Dyrrhachium]] (1081) *[[Battle of Levounion]] (1091) *[[Siege of Nicaea]] (1097) *[[Battle of Sirmium]] (1167) *[[Battle of Myriokephalon]] (1176) ===Late Byzantine period=== *[[Battle of Pelagonia]] (1259) *[[Fall of Constantinople]] (1453) == Notes == {{reflist|2}} ==References== {{Byzantine culture}} === Primary sources === {{seealso|Byzantine military manuals}} *[[Notitia Dignitatum]], an early 5th century document, describing the disposition of the legions in both Western and Eastern Roman Empire *The [[Strategikon of Maurice|Strategikon]], a military handbook of the late 6th century, attributed to the Emperor [[Maurice]] *[[De Administrando Imperio]], a government handbook of the 10th century, attributed to the Emperor [[Constantine VII]] [[Porphyrogenitus]] *Three Treatises on Imperial Military Expeditions, also attributed to Emperor [[Constantine VII]] [[Porphyrogenitus]] and ed. by John Haldon and others === Secondary sources === * {{cite book | first = Mark C. | last = Bartusis | title = The Late Byzantine Army: Arms and Society 1204-1453 | publisher = University of Pennsylvania Press | year = 1997 | isbn = 0812216202 }} * {{cite book | first = John W. | last = Birkenmeier | title = The Development of the Komnenian Army: 1081-1180 | publisher = BRILL | year = 2002 | isbn = 9004117105 }} * {{cite book | first = Timothy | last = Dawson | title = Byzantine Infantryman: Eastern Roman Empire ''c''.900-1204 (Warrior Series #118) | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-1-84603-105-2 }} *Elton, Hugh, ''Warfare in Roman Europe'' *Haldon, John, ''Byzantium at War'' *{{cite book |first = John F. |last = Haldon |title = Warfare, state and society in the Byzantine world, 565-1204 |year = 1999 |publisher = Routledge |isbn = 1857284941 }} *Haldon, John, ''Byzantine Praetorians'' * {{cite book | first = Jonathan | last = Harris | title = Byzantium and The Crusades | publisher = Hambledon & London | year = 2006 | isbn = 978-1852855017 }} *Heath, Ian, ''Byzantine Armies 886-1118'' * {{cite book | first = Ian | last = Heath | coauthors = McBride, Angus | title = Byzantine Armies: AD 1118-1461 | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1995 | isbn = 978-1855323476 }} *Kaegi, Walter, "Byzantine Military Unrest, 471-843: An Interpretation" * {{cite book | first = Simon | last = MacDowall | title = Late Roman Infantryman AD 236–565 (Warrior Series #9) | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1994 | isbn = 1-85532-419-9 }} * {{cite book | first = Simon | last = MacDowall | title = Late Roman Cavalryman AD 236–565 (Warrior Series # 15) | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1995 | isbn = 1-85532-567-5 }} * {{cite book | first = Cyril | last = Mango | title = The Oxford History of Byzantium | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2002 | isbn = 0198140983 }} *Moroz, Irina, [http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/pdfs/moroz.pdf "The Idea of Holy War in the Orthodox World"], ''Quaestiones medii aevi novae'' v. 4 * {{cite book | first = David | last = Nicolle | authorlink = David Nicolle | title = Romano-Byzantine Armies: 4th-9th Centuries (Men-at-Arms Series #247) | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1992 | isbn = 1-85532-224-2 }} * {{cite book | first = David | last = Nicolle | authorlink = David Nicolle | title = Yarmuk 636: The Muslim Conquest of Syria (Campaign Series #31) | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1994 | isbn = 1-85532-414-8 }} * {{cite book | first = David | last = Nicolle | authorlink = David Nicolle | title = Constantinople 1453: The End of Byzantium | publisher = Praeger Publishers | year = 2005 | isbn = 978-0275988562 }} *Rance, Philip, 'The ''Fulcum'', the Late Roman and Byzantine Testudo: the Germanization of Roman Infantry Tactics?' in ''Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies'' 44.3 (2004) pp. 265-326, at: http://www.duke.edu/web/classics/grbs/FTexts/44/Rance2.pdf. *Simkins, Michael, ''The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine'' *{{cite book |title=Byzantium and Its Army, 284-1081 |last=Treadgold |first=Warren T. |year=1995 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=0804731632 }} *{{cite book |title=A History of the Byzantine State and Society |last=Treadgold |first=Warren T. |year=1997 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=0804726302 }} *Wise, Terence, ''Armies of the Crusades'' ==See also== * [[Byzantine Empire]] * [[Byzantine battle tactics]] * [[Byzantine navy]] * [[Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy]] * [[Byzantine military manuals]] * [[Roman Empire]] * [[Roman army]] * [[Roman navy]] * [[Varangian guard]] ==External links== {{commonscat|Military of the Byzantine Empire}} * [http://www.deremilitari.org De re militari.org] - The Society for Medieval Military History [[Category:Byzantine Army| ]] [[Category:Military history of the Mediterranean]] [[Category:Military units and formations of the Medieval era]] [[Category:Medieval armies]] [[Category:Warfare of the Medieval era]] [[de:Byzantinisches Heerwesen]] [[el:Βυζαντινός στρατός]] [[es:Ejército bizantino]] [[fr:Armée byzantine]] [[gl:Exército bizantino]] [[it:Esercito bizantino]] [[ru:Военное дело Византии]] [[fi:Bysantin valtakunnan armeija]] [[sv:Bysantinska armén]]