DBA Armies

“Byzantine” is a modern term for the Roman state (whose citizens actually called themselves “Romans”) with its original capital at Constantinople “The City of Constantine” (built in 330 AD on the site of the ancient Greek city of Byzantium). It is now Istanbul “It is the City”. The city is still surrounded by its nearly impregnable (it was once captured by a unit of light horse that found a gate open and unguarded) triple walls, which can be explored. This list covers Roman armies from the end of the Western empire until the reforms of Maurice and includes the armies of Belisarius 527-548 and Narses 551-565. Generals were hindered by insubordinate juniors, slowly-paid troops and the economic effects of plague. Kavallarioi are described by Procopius as armed with Hunnic bow, sword and corslet and a “short” (probably round) shield hung from the shoulders. Despite their armour, they originally often fought in Hunnic style (LH) “shooting from all angles” and this gives better results against western opponents. Boukellarioi are the general’s bodyguard and from 527 Belisarius’ extended household. They added a lance and their shields were larger since on one occasion they protected the general with them. They did not return to Italy with him in 544 and are not mentioned under Narses. At Casilinum in 544, Agathias describes all Byzantine cavalry as having both bow and spear, with some substituting a longer lance, so boukellarioi practise may have spread. Horse armour had not yet been copied from the Avars, though it was being advocated by a theoretician around 550. The skutatoi were surviving Roman legions and auxilia palatina (Bd) and are depicted in art with short spears, muscle cuirasses, pteruges and large oval shields with Late-Roman shield patterns. Symmachoi were foreigners fighting in native style. 40 years ago, wargamers had to rely on “Count Belisarius” for information, but new availability of Byzantine military texts have rendered it outdated. Herul mercenaries employed after they ceased to be an important tribe were independent enough to be classed as allies. References: Armies & Enemies of Imperial Rome P. Barker, Armies of the Dark Ages I. Heath, History of the Wars Procopius, Histories Agathias, The Byzantine Wars J. Haldon, The Age of Hippotoxotai 1. Syvanne, Belisarius: The Last Roman General 1. Hughes, Rome and Persia at War 502-532 G. Greatrex, Justinian’s Wars R. Boss, Coun! Belisarius R. Graves (novel).