The Byzantine Empire330 a.d. – 1453 a.d.

MOI

Readings

Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp 92-104

Preston and Wise, pp 44-54

Learning Objectives

Understand the Byzantine military philosophy

Outline the Byzantine military organization Identify tactical and philosophical

innovations Identify some of the key leaders of the

Byzantine Empire Trace succession of battles which

culminated in fall of Constantinople

Background 330 a.d. – After invasion of Rome, Constantine I

move the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantines and renames it Constantinople (modern day Istanbul)

New Empire– Survival oriented, concerned with defense rather than

expansion. – Many invasion attempts, survival depended on military

strength– Church had close ties with state– Economically prosperous– Centralized autocratic rule maintained

Military Philosophy

Defense Orientated Due to scarcity of resources to make war,

especially soldiers, great emphasis on good “generalship”

Constantly analyzed their enemies and studied all aspects of war carefully– Published studies called Treatises

Military Tactics

Doctrines Emphasized– Coordinated action

• Between weapons systems (missiles and shock)• Between armies (infantry and cavalry)

– Envelopment, preferred left flank Always retained fresh reserves Native Born Soldiers

– Still had to use some mercenaries but much less than west

Military Tactics Continued

No code of honor– Ruses used often, not worried about morality of

war– Bribery and trickery were used to coerce enemy– Used psychological warfare on enemies– Used false propaganda to raise moral of own

troops Great emphasis on archery marksmanship

and constant practice in use of weapons

Military Organization

The Cataphract (disciplined heavy cavalry)– Symbolized Byzantine empire in same way the

legions represented Rome– Well trained and drilled

Numerous/Banda (300-400 Men)– Commanded by Tribune or Drungarios– Basic level of military– Equivalent to a modern day Battalion with

same organization

Military Organization Cont.

Turma (5-8 Numeri)– Commanded by a Trumach– Equivalent to modern day Division

Thema (2-3 Turmi)– Commanded by a Strategos– Equivalent to a Corps

1. Central Front Line

2. Central Second Line

3. Reserve/Rear Security

4. Close in Envelopment/Security Flank Units

5. Distant Envelopment/Screening Units

Military Innovations Calvary Stirrups-One of Most Important Inventions

– 5th or 6th century from China– Allowed man to use full force of the lance– Could stand up and gain height– Poorer riders could still perform well

“Greek Fire”– Even today unsure of what exactly its chemical

composition was, kept so secret it was forgotten– Shot out of hollow tubes on ships, was like liquid fire,

stuck to everything, could not be extinguished

Military Innovations Continued Logistics

– Known as Baggage Train Signal Service

– Messengers– Signals Corps

• Signal fires

Chaplain Corps Medical Corps

– Each numerous usually had a doctor, a surgeon, and 8-10 stretcher bearers

Engineer Corps

Justinian Ruled from 527-565 a.d. Desires to reunite East and West Felt that he was head of the Church and his wars

took on character of crusades, it was his duty to suppress the Arians and convert them to Christianity

Successful reconquest in Africa and Italy– Excellent use of weaponry, mobility and shock of his

horse archers– Brilliant leadership of Belisarius and Narses

Belisarius

529-549 a.d. At 27 became Justinian’s bodyguard Chosen to lead the main army Daras (530 a.d.) Ad Decimum (533 a.d.) Tricameron (533 a.d.)

Daras

Persian Frontier 530 a.d. 40,000 Persians vs. 25,000 under Belisarius Took and offensive defense, counted on

Persian aggressiveness and built trenches around fortress of Daras

Persians eventually forced into trenches and trapped, used combined forces of cavalry and infantry to destroy them

Ad Decimum

Africa 530 a.d. Justinian wants Carthage for Political and

Religious reasons Belisarius lands with 15,000 troops Vandal King Gelimer attempts to ambush

Belisarius at Ad Decimum– His planned was extremely complicated and

called for 3 simultaneous ambushes– Difficult with no clocks???

Ad Decimum Continued

Attacks not timed well and failed Gelimer had some successes and chances to

attack but never exploited them Belisarius rallied his troops, dispersed the

Vandals and entered Carthage on September 15th

Tricameron

Gelimer remaining forces harass Belisarius Gelimer retreats to 18 miles west of

Carthage at Tricameron and masses a force of 50,000

Belisarius marches on Tricameron Gelimer again leave initiative to enemy and

loses the cavalry battle Gelimer finally surrender to Belisarius in

534 a.d.

Belisarius

Justinian is jealous of Belisarius and orders him back

Sends him to Sicily where he is very successful, and Justinian brings him back again due to jealousy

Sends him back to Sicily where he is again somewhat successful but is denied complete success by Justinian who refuses to send him enough support

Belisarius’s Keys to Success

Developed new tactics– Assumed he would have inferior numbers

– Induced his enemies to attack him under his conditions

– Used lack of numbers as asset, more mobile, flexible

– Strategy more psychological

– Knew how to provoke enemies into indulging natural instinct for direct assault

– Took advantage of Persian feelings of superiority

Narses

551 a.d. Goths had recovered losses and Justinian needed a major effort in Italy in order to keep it

Puts Narses in command at age 73 Major Battle

– Taginae (552 a.d.)

Taginae

Narses land in Italy with ~20,000 Gothic forces ~50,000 Narses lets Goths attack Narses forms for battle:

– 8000 dismounted cavalry formed into phalanx– 4000 foot archers on each flank– 500 mounted cavalry behind each wing of

archers as protection

Battle Map

Taginae Continued

Goths attempt to push through phalanx but are picked off by archers on flanks and sustain heavy losses

Italy is retaken Last major battle under Justinian’s Rule

Maurice 582-603 A.D.

Selected as heir to the throne Successful officer in the Military Before taking throne, had published

“Strategicon” a handbook for Field Commanders

Realigned the military structure

Maurice’s Military Reforms

Introduces the concept of Turma and Thema Used unequal numbers so enemy could not

calculate the numbers of the whole army Took away Generals powers of patronage by

making officer promotions above Centurion (numerous commander) a direct appointee of the Emperor

Pledged obedience to the realm

Maurice’s Military Reforms Cont

Introduced the baggage trains, medical, signal and chaplain corps

Cut the size of the standing army Deployed it as central reserve and units for

the frontier fortresses Divided empire into military provinces or

themes

Navy

By 8th century empire had 5 fleets Small, fast galley ships Each vessel had two rows of oarsmen who

were trained to fight Each vessel had a group of Marines Had bow tubes for dispensing “Greek Fire”

Fall of Empire

East had constant attacks from Persians and to the North were the Slavs– Military is eventually weakened

Islamic Attacks come in the 7th and 8th centuries which further weaken military

Basil I (867-868) and Basil II (985-1025) neglect military

Fall of Empire Cont.

1068 Romanus Diogenes, former General, takes control and drive Turks back in the Battle of Manzikert

Was betrayed by one of his officers and Turks envelope and destroy Byzantine force

1453 Mohammed II takes Constantinople to end the 1100 years of the Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire through its years

Summary Slide

Military Philosophy, Tactics, and Organization– Constant analysis of enemies, coordinated actions of

armies and weapons systems, well trained Cataphract

Innovations: The Stirrup– Logistics, Signal, and Medical Corps

Belisarius Keys to Success Narses form for Battle, very successful Navy Innovations with Marines onboard Fall of the Empire

Questions?