DBA Armies

III/26 EARLY SERBIAN OR CROATIAN 627 AD - 1180 AD OR 1089 AD

The Serbs and Croats are thought by some authorities to have originated as Sarmatian elites ruling Slav populations. They were commissioned by the Byzantine emperor Heraklios in 627 to drive the Avars out of western Illyricum and settle there on condition that they became Orthodox Christians. They quickly merged with their new Slav subjects. The Serbs became nominally independent of Byzantium in 820, but Muslim raiders caused second thoughts and they returned to being increasingly rebellious subjects until 1180. The Croats accepted the rule of Charlemagne after the defeat of the Avars in 796 and became Catholic, but later rebelled, gaining independence from both Franks and Byzantines in 879. They were conquered by Hungary in 1089. Serbs and Croats shared a language, mutual dislike and a love of ambushes. The military repute of the Serbs was as fiercely-charging lancers and deadly archers, that of the Croats as axemen. Reference: Armies of Feudal Europe 1. Heath.

III/26a — Serbian Army 627 AD - 1180 AD

List: 1 x General (3Kn), 2 x nobles (3Kn), 4 x javelinmen (3Ax) or from 798 spearmen (Sp), 2 x javelinmen (3Ax) or ill-armed (7Hd), 2 x archers (3Bw), 1 x archers (Ps)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 1
Enemies:

III/26b — Croatian Army 627 AD - 1089 AD

List: 1 x General (Cv), 2 x nobles (Cv), 8 x javelinmen with axes (4Ax), 1 x archers (Ps)
Terrain: Littoral
Aggression: 1
Enemies: