Troop types Byzantine army (Komnenian era)

1 troop types

1.1 infantry

1.1.1 varangians
1.1.2 native heavy infantry
1.1.3 peltasts
1.1.4 light infantry


1.2 cavalry

1.2.1 heavy cavalry

1.2.1.1 latin knights
1.2.1.2 kataphraktoi
1.2.1.3 koursores


1.2.2 light cavalry

troop types

the byzantine empire highly developed society long military history , recruit soldiers various peoples, both within , beyond borders; result of these factors wide variety of troop types found in army.

infantry

with notable exception of varangians, byzantine infantry of komnenian period poorly described in sources. emperors , aristocracy, form primary subjects of contemporary historians, associated high-status heavy cavalry , result infantry received little mention.

varangians

varangian guardsmen, prominently displayed danish axes, arranged around byzantine palace. note sub-conical helmets of both composite , single-piece skull construction, attached neck defences , use of both round , kite-shaped shields

the varangian guard elite of infantry. in field operated heavy infantry, armoured , protected long shields, armed spears , distinctive two-handed danish axes. unlike other byzantine heavy infantry battlefield employment appears have been offensive in character. in both of battles in recorded playing prominent role described making aggressive attacks. @ dyrrhachion defeated norman cavalry charge counterattack pushed far and, finding unsupported, broken. @ beroia varangians more successful, john ii commanding them personally, assaulted pecheneg wagon fort , cut way it, achieving complete victory. likely, given elite status , constant attendance on emperor, varangians mounted on march though fought on foot. has been estimated throughout alexios s reign, 4,000–5,000 varangians in total joined byzantine army. before set out relieve dyrrhachion in 1081, emperor left 300 varangians guard constantinople. after defeat, alexios left 500 varangians garrison kastoria in unsuccessful attempt halt norman advance. @ dyrrhachion there 1,400 varangians while @ beroia, 480–540 present. suggests emperors brought around 500 varangians personal protection on campaigns, unless needed particularly strong force of infantry. garrison of varangians stationed in city of paphos in cyprus during komnenian period, until island s conquest king richard i.

native heavy infantry

heavy infantry invisible in contemporary sources. in macedonian period heavy infantryman described skoutatos (shieldbearer) or hoplites. these terms not mentioned in 12th-century sources; choniates used terms kontophoros , lonchephoros (spearbearer/spearman). choniates usage was, however, literary , may not accurately represent contemporary technical terminology. byzantine heavy infantry armed long spear (kontos or kontarion) possible minority may have been armed menavlion polearm. carried large shields, , given armour available. in front rank, @ least, might expected have metal armour, perhaps klivanion. role of such infantrymen, drawn in serried ranks, largely defensive. constituted bulwark resist enemy heavy cavalry charges, , formed movable battlefield base cavalry , other more mobile troops mount attacks, , behind rally.

peltasts

the type of infantryman called peltast (peltastēs) far more heavily referenced in contemporary sources “spearman”. although peltasts of antiquity light skirmish infantry armed javelins, unsafe assume troops given name in komnenian period identical in function; indeed, byzantine peltasts described “assault troops”. komnenian peltasts appear have been relatively lightly equipped soldiers capable of great battlefield mobility, skirmish equally capable of close combat. arms may have included shorter version of kontarion spear employed heavy infantry. @ dyrrachion, example, large force of peltasts achieved feat of driving off norman cavalry. peltasts employed in mutually supportive association heavy cavalry.

light infantry

the true skirmish infantry, entirely unarmoured, of byzantine army psiloi. term included foot archers, javelineers , slingers, though archers differentiated others in descriptions. psiloi regarded being quite separate peltasts. such troops carried small buckler protection , have had auxiliary weapon, sword or light axe, use in close combat situation. these missile troops deployed in open battle behind protective ranks of heavy infantry, or thrown forward skirmish. light troops effective when deployed in ambush, @ battle of hyelion , leimocheir in 1177.

cavalry

the earlier byzantine heavy cavalryman, combined use of bow lance close combat, seems have disappeared before komnenian age. typical heavy cavalryman of komnenian army dedicated lancer, though armoured horse-archers continued employed.

heavy cavalry

the heavy cavalry social , military elite of whole army , considered pre-eminent battle winners. charge of lancers, , subsequent melee, decisive event in battle. lance-armed heavy cavalry of komnenian army of 2 origins, firstly ‘latin knights , , secondly native kataphraktoi.

latin knights

latin heavy cavalry recruited warriors , knights of italy, france, low countries, germany , crusader states. byzantines considered french more formidable mounted warriors germans. latin cavalrymen formed part of regular soldiery of empire , supported pay imperial treasury, or pronoia grants, , organised formal regiments. regular latin knightly heavy cavalry part of guard, individual latins or of western descent found in imperial household, others grouped formation later known latinikon. alternatively, bands of mercenary knights hired duration of particular campaign. charge of western knight held in considerable awe byzantines; anna komnene stated mounted kelt [an archaism norman or frank] irresistible; bore way through walls of babylon. latins’ equipment , tactics identical of regions of origin; though appearance , equipment of such troops must have become progressively more byzantine longer in emperor s employ. latin soldiers, example norman roger son of dagobert, became thoroughly integrated byzantine society. descendants of such men, including general alexios petraliphas , naval commander constantine frangopoulos (“son-of-a-frank”), remained in military employ. son of norman knight roger son of dagobert, john rogerios dalassenos, married daughter of john ii, made caesar , made unsuccessful bid imperial throne.

kataphraktoi

byzantine soldiers of 14th century. general appearance of troops depicted equally applicable komnenian period (note kataphraktoi in lower register, particularly 1 face-covering mail).

the native kataphraktoi found in imperial oikos, imperial guards units , personal guards of generals, largest numbers found within provincial tagmata. level of military effectiveness, quality of armour , mount, of individual provincial kataphraktos varied considerably, both john ii , manuel recorded employing formations of “picked lancers” taken parent units , combined. approach may have been adopted in order re-create concentration of effective heavy cavalry represented ‘imperial tagmata’ of former times. kataphraktoi heavily armoured type of byzantine soldier , wealthy kataphraktos armoured indeed. alexiad relates when emperor alexios simultaneously thrust @ both flanks lance wielding norman knights armour effective suffered no serious injury.

in reign of alexios byzantine kataphraktoi proved unable withstand charge of norman knights, , alexios, in later campaigns, forced use stratagems aimed @ avoiding exposure of heavy cavalry such charge. contemporary byzantine armour more effective of western europe therefore reasons other deficit in armour protection must sought poor performance of byzantine cavalry. probable byzantine heavy cavalry traditionally made charges @ relatively slow speed, deep wedge formations described in nikephoros phokas’ day have been impossible deploy @ faster round trot. in course of late 11th century normans, , other westerners, evolved disciplined charge @ high speed developed great impetus, , outclassed byzantines. role of couched lance technique, , connected development of high-cantled war saddle, in process obscure may have had considerable influence.

there evidence of relative lack of quality warhorses in byzantine cavalry. byzantines may have suffered considerable disruption access cappadocia , northern syria, traditional sources of quality cavalry mounts, in wake of fall of anatolia turks. however, reign of manuel byzantine kataphraktos equal of western counterpart. although manuel credited historian kinnamos introducing latin knightly equipment , techniques native cavalry, process far more gradual , began in reign of alexios. manuel’s enthusiastic adoption of western pastime of jousting had beneficial effects on proficiency of heavy cavalry. kataphraktos famed use of fearsome iron mace in melee combat.

koursores

mace-wielding byzantine cavalry in pursuit – skylitzes chronicle

a category of cavalryman termed koursōr (pl. koursores) documented in byzantine military literature sixth century onwards. term transliteration of latin cursor meaning raider (from cursus: course, line of advance, raid, running, speed, zeal - in medieval latin term raider or brigand cursarius, origin of corsair ). according 1 theory, posited etymological root of term hussar, used later cavalry type. koursōr had defined tactical role may or may not have been officially defined cavalry type. koursores mobile close-combat cavalry , may considered being drawn more lightly equipped kataphraktoi. koursores intended engage enemy cavalry , placed on flanks of main battle line. on left wing, termed defensores, placed defend flank enemy cavalry attack, whilst cavalry placed on right wing, termed prokoursatores, intended attack enemy s flank. cavalry on detached duty, such scouting or screening main army, called prokoursatores. thought type of cavalry armed identically heavy kataphraktoi armoured more lightly, , mounted on lighter, swifter horses. being relatively lightly equipped more suited pursuit of fleeing enemies heavyweight kataphraktoi. in komnenian period, more heavily equipped of kataphraktoi segregated create formations of picked lancers, presumably remainder, being more lightly equipped, provided koursores. type of cavalry, differentiated both horse archers , heaviest armour, referred kinnamos in 1147 forming sub-section of byzantine army array; described rode swift horses, appear these koursores.

light cavalry

magyar warrior of 10th century. typical of appearance of light skirmish horse-archers of periods.

the light cavalry of komnenian army consisted of horse-archers. there 2 distinct forms of horse-archer: lightly equipped skirmisher , heavier, armoured, bow-armed cavalryman shot disciplined ranks. native byzantine horse-archer of latter type. shot arrows command from, static, ranks , offered mobile concentration of missile fire on battlefield. native horse-archer had declined in numbers , importance komnenian period, being largely replaced soldiers of foreign origins. however, in 1191 isaac komnenos of cyprus recorded firing arrows @ richard of england horseback during latter s conquest of cyprus. suggests mounted archery remained martial skill practised within upper reaches of byzantine aristocracy.

turks seljuk , danishmend realms of central , eastern anatolia, , byzantinised turks , magyars settled within empire, such vardariots, supplied bulk of heavy horse-archers of komnenian army. towards end of period alans supplying type of cavalry. such horse archers highly disciplined. byzantine horse-archers (termed doryphoroi – indicating guard status) @ sozopolis in 1120 performed feigned flight manoeuvre, demanding greatest self-confidence , discipline, led taking of city turks. given armoured, if comparatively light armour, type of horse-archer had capability fight melee weapons in close combat.

skirmish horse-archers, unarmoured, supplied turkic pechenegs, cumans , uzes of steppes. these troops ideal scouts , adept @ harassment tactics. attacked swarm , difficult more heavily equipped enemy bring close combat. light horse-archers effective screening force, preventing enemy discerning dispositions of other troops (for example @ battle of sirmium).