Warfare in Late Byzantium 1204-1453 (History of Warfare, 67)

This book examines Byzantine attitudes towards warfare at a time of crisis when the empire ceased to be a first rate power in the Mediterranean. It investigates the correspondence between official rhetoric and propaganda, on the one hand, and military realities, on the other. It explores the military ethos of the late Byzantine aristocracy and examines Byzantine perceptions of military leadership in comparison to contemporary western European military thinking. The organisation and nature of military operations and the role of the various groups of soldiers are explored to set Byzantine warfare in the wider geographical and cultural context. In addition, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the influences other medieval cultures exerted on Byzantine military thought, organisation and practice. Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Note on Transliteration 12 Abbreviations 14 Maps 18 Introduction 22 Chapter One Warfare and Imperial Propaganda 34 The inevitability of warfare 34 The militaristic ideology of Nicaea 37 Changes in the military profile of the emperor after the recovery of Constantinople 41 Andronikos II and the ideological importance of defensive wars against the Turks 46 The military profile of the emperor under Andronikos III and John VI Kantakouzenos 51 Fighting the impious barbarians and natural enemies 57 Chapter Two Commanders 66 The military character of the late Byzantine aristocracy 66 The role of Western European military ideals and practices 72 The effectiveness of Byzantine generals on the battlefield 81 The ideal leadership 90 Chapter Three Soldiers 96 Pronoia holders 96 The Allagia 103 The Nicaean frontier troops, the Proselantai and the Thelematarioi 114 The case of the despotate of the Morea 117 Chapter Four Mercenaries 122 The use of mercenaries 122 Categories of mercenaries 125 Byzantine attitudes towards mercenaries 139 Chapter Five Campaigns 158 Chapter Six Fortifications and Sieges 178 The role of fortifications 178 Siege warfare: The evidence of the written sources 191 The impact of gunpowder on Byzantine warfare 208 Chapter Seven Tactics 218 Late Byzantine cavalry and field tactics against Western Europeans 218 Battlefield Tactics against the Turks 224 Infantry 237 Conclusion 242 Glossary 250 Bibliography 252 Primary Sources 252 Secondary Sources 255 Index 266 Untitled 2 9789004206663 BRILL NV This Book Examines Byzantine Attitudes Towards Warfare At A Time Of Crisis When The Empire Ceased To Be A First Rate Power In The Mediterranean. It Investigates The Correspondence Between Official Rhetoric And Propaganda, On The One Hand, And Military Realities, On The Other. It Explores The Military Ethos Of The Late Byzantine Aristocracy And Examines Byzantine Perceptions Of Military Leadership In Comparison To Contemporary Western European Military Thinking. The Organization And Nature Of Military Operations And The Role Of The Various Groups Of Soldiers Are Explored To Set Byzantine Warfare In The Wider Geographical And Cultural Context. In Addition, This Book Provides A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Influences Other Medieval Cultures Exerted On Byzantine Military Thought, Organization And Practice--page 4 Of Cover. Warfare And Imperial Propaganda -- Commanders -- Soldiers -- Mercenaries -- Campaigns -- Fortifications And Sieges -- Tactics. By Savvas Kyriakidis. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [231]-244) And Index. Examining a wide body of sources this book offers a comprehensive analysis of late Byzantine attitudes to warfare and places late Byzantine military ethos, thought and practice in the wider geographical, cultural and historical context.