Byzantine Armies 886–1118

Osprey Men at Arms #89

by Ian Heath, Angus McBride (Illustrator)

The Byzantines had a remarkably sophisticated approach to politics and military strategy. Unlike most of their contemporaries, they learnt very early in their history that winning a battle did not necessarily win a war, and they frequently bought off their enemies with treaties and bribes rather than squander men and matériel in potentially fruitless campaigns. The Byzantine army of the 10th and early 11th centuries, at the height of its power and efficiency, was the best-organised, best-trained, best-equipped and highest-paid in the known world. This splendid book by Ian Heath examines the Byzantine Armies from 886-1118, including the lusty, hard-fighting, hard-drinking 'barbarian' Varangian guard.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Nonfiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 1979

Reviews

[✿ Natalie ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book out from the library because I wanted to learn more about the Varangian Guard. This book gave me some information, and a few artists drawing of Varangian Guard warriors in armour.

[Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our view of the Eastern Roman Empire -- ruled from Constantinople, ex-Byzantium, hence “Byzantine” -- tends even today to have a distinct western bias. Even the word “Byzantine” carries the meaning of “ridiculously convoluted and probably underhanded.” But the Byzantines were extremely astute and sophisticated in political and military matters. They were very good at the whole empire thing, lasting rather longer than the “Roman Romans” did, right up until the city finally fell to the Ottomans in 1453. We tend also to sneer at the Byzantines’ policy of simply buying off those who threatened them, ignoring the fact that spending 100,000 ounces of silver on a bribe was cheaper than spending 500,000 on a war -- not to mention the lives saved. But when warfare was necessary, the imperial government could field a first-rate army, too, drawing on a large number of subject peoples with an array of weapons and tactical skills.

The author’s credentials are not noted anywhere (an unusual lapse for this series) but he obviously has a strong background in the classics and especially in Greek history. While the overview he provides of the organization of the imperial army and its sources of manpower is pretty good, he tends to go a bit overboard with the technical jargon, which may require one to back up and re-read a section every couple of pages. He also quotes from various classical authors without commenting on why they are important. Finally, some readers might wish he hadn’t limited himself to only 250 years, but this actually is the middle volume of a trilogy covering the whole history of the empire. And the color plates, Osprey’s specialty, are well up to the usual standard. (Although there is one kataphractos who bears a remarkable resemblance to Sean Connery. . . .)

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating entry in the Osprey "Men-at-Arms" series, in which military units are examined. This slim volume examines the Byzantine military from 886-1118. One irony is that the Byzantines preferred to use military force as a latter resort than a first resort, often using bribery and treaties to defer or prevent actual outbreak of hostilities. However, when such efforts failed, there was--in waiting--a powerful armed force. As this volume observes (Page 3): "The Byzantine army of the 10th and early 11th centuries, at the height of its power and efficiency, was the best-organized, best-trained, best-equipped, and highest-paid in the known world."

The book discusses the weaponry, organization, etc. of the Byzantine Army. It also describes the great defeat at Manzikert in 1071 that ended the excellence of Byzantine forces. The Empire increasingly depended on, mercenaries and its military arm was not as effective later on.

Nice work providing reasonable detail (given the shortness of the work) on an important historical subject.

[Paul Pryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concentrated book but again gets over what a multi-cultural affair the Byzantine Roman military was in this period.