Warfare in Late Byzantium, 1204-1453

Inbunden, Engelska, 2011

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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.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2011-05-23
Mått155 x 235 x 21 mm
Vikt590 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieHistory of Warfare
Antal sidor260
FörlagBrill
ISBN9789004206663

Tillhör följande kategorier

Historia inom Historia och arkeologi
Militärhistoria inom Historia och arkeologi

Acknowledgments ... ixNote on Transliteration ... xiAbbreviations ... xiiiMaps ... xviiIntroduction ... 1 1. Warfare and Imperial Propaganda ... 13The inevitability of warfare ... 13The militaristic ideology of Nicaea ... 16Changes in the military profile of the emperor after the recovery of Constantinople ... 20Andronikos II and the ideological importance of defensive wars against the Turks ... 25The military profile of the emperor under Andronikos III and John VI Kantakouzenos ... 30Fighting against impious barbarians and natural enemies ... 362. Commanders ... 45The military character of the late Byzantine aristocracy ... 45The role of Western European military ideals and practices ... 51The effectiveness of Byzantine generals on the battlefield ... 60The ideal leadership ... 693. Soldiers ... 75Pronoia holders ... 75The Allagia ... 82The Nicaean frontier troops, the Proselantai and the Thelematarioi ... 93The case of the despotate of the Morea ... 964. Mercenaries ... 101The use of mercenaries ... 101Categories of mercenaries ... 104Byzantine attitudes towards mercenaries ... 1185. Campaigns ... 1376. Fortifications and Sieges ... 157The role of fortifications ... 157Siege warfare: The evidence of the written sources ... 170The impact of gunpowder on Byzantine warfare ... 1877. Tactics ... 197Late Byzantine cavalry and field tactics against Western Europeans ... 197Battlefield Tactics against the Turks ... 203Infantry ... 216Conclusion ... 221Glossary ... 229Bibliography: Primary Sources ... 231Secondary Sources ... 234Index ... 245