What was the Byzantine army made of?

Modern scholars estimate the total strength of the imperial army under Justinian to be between 300,000 and 350,000 soldiers. Field armies generally had 15,000 to 25,000 soldiers and were formed mainly of comitatenses and foederati, reinforced by the commanders’ retinues and barbarian allies.

How large was the Eastern Roman army?

Army Size. Warren Treadgold estimates that the east Roman army had about 3,500 scolae or guards, 104,000 field army soldiers, with an uncertain number of sailors, and 195,500 border army soldiers, again with an uncertain number of sailors, in 395.

What weapons did Byzantine soldiers use?

Among the regular weapons wielded by Byzantine soldiers on the battlefield was the spear, sword, axe, mace, bow and javelin.

Why were the 10th and 11th centuries known as a golden age for Byzantium?

During the late 10th and early 11th centuries, under the rule of the Macedonian dynasty founded by Michael III’s successor, Basil, the Byzantine Empire enjoyed a golden age. Though it stretched over less territory, Byzantium had more control over trade, more wealth and more international prestige than under Justinian.

What was Roman armor called?

lorica segmentata
The Romans used three types of body armour: a hooped arrangement called lorica segmentata; scaled metal plates called lorica squamata, and chain mail or lorica hamata. Mail was durable and was used almost throughout Roman history as Roman soldier’s armour.

What weapons did the varangian Guard use?

The Varangian Guard was best known for its weaponry, for they carried axes, sometimes described as single-bladed and sometimes as double. “The imperial axe-bearers” is a common description of them. The Varangian Guard’s top commanders seem to have been Byzantine, although smaller units had foreign commanders.

What new Byzantine weapon was developed?

Developed in the Byzantine empire of the seventh century, Greek fire was a devastating weapon capable of being fired through tubes like a flamethrower, or hurled grenade-style in pots. It stuck to and burned everything, and couldn’t be doused by water, making it especially useful in naval battles.

What type of military did the Byzantine Empire have?

Byzantine army. Jump to navigation Jump to search. The Byzantine army or Eastern Roman army was the primary military body of the Byzantine armed forces, serving alongside the Byzantine navy. A direct continuation of the Roman army, the Eastern Roman army maintained a similar level of discipline, strategic prowess and organization.

How did the Byzantine army use the bandons?

Interestingly enough, the Byzantine army did make use of ‘mixed’ divisions of soldiers within each bandon, with ratios of 3:1 to 7:3 when it came to spearmen ( skutatoi) and archers, thus suggesting advanced tactical deployments on the battlefields.

How strong was the Byzantine themata Army?

And the overall strength of the Byzantine Themata army possibly numbered between 70,000 to 90,000 men, in circa early 10th century AD.

What can we learn about armour from Byzantine paintings?

Byzantine depictions of military saints give useful information concerning armour, however, some elements can be fanciful or anachronistic. 11th century mosaic, Hosios Loukas Monastery Boeotia