Byzantine armor

Benalishlancer · Post by **Benalishlancer** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 7:55 pm

What would a 8th Century Byzantine soldier have worn?

[This message has been edited by benalishlancer (edited 07-10-2002).]

HugoFuchs · Post by **HugoFuchs** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 8:22 pm

Probably Lamellar

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 5:49 am

Byzantine armour of the 8th century is not often shown in contemporary illustrations - the Empire was busy coping with incursions from the Arabs, and much Byzantine territory was lost forever in this period. The period is something of a "Dark Age" for Byzantium, inasmuch as it had one at all, and this was also the period of the Iconoclast controversy. Much Byzantine art from this period was destroyed by the iconoclasts.

However, surviving pieces show that though there were considerable changes in Byzantine equipment through the centuries there was a strong continuity in the type of armour worn, and its appearance.

The pictures at http://www.geocities.com/egfroth1/ByzArmour.html date from several centuries later, but would give a good guid to the type of thing that was in use.

There are several military manuals in existence. Of these, the Strategikon by Emperor Maurice was written in the late 6th century and the Tactica of Leo VI The Wise in the mid 9th century. The Tactica is largely copied from the Strategikon, but with changes to reflect the different military situation and equipment two and a half centuries later. Looking at both would enable you to get an idea of the kinds of things Byzantine warriors wore in the period you're interested in.

You should also look at http://www-personal.une.edu.au/~tdawson/byzarmour.html - but keep in mind that it relates to a period several centuies after the one you're interested in.

The Osprey book "Byzantine Armies", if you don't put too much trust in the colour plate reconstructions and look only at the orignal artefacts, is worth a look. There are a few carved ivory boxes from this period which might help.

Good luck with it. Did you want this for SCA stuff, or otherwise? It makes a difference.

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Egfroth

"Power; it corrupts! I can FEEL it!!
see my webpage at www.geocities.com/egfrothos

Russ Mitchell · Post by **Russ Mitchell** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 8:47 am

Egfroth, do you have a reference for Leo's Tactica? I'm finding just this week that I need it from another reference, but can't seem to track down any version that's still in print (damn my lack of access to a research library!!!)

Benalishlancer · Post by **Benalishlancer** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 11:08 am

It will be for SCA use

bela of kaffa · Post by **bela of kaffa** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 3:47 pm

you can check out dumbarton oaks museum's book offerings...

http://www.doaks.org/Publications.html

bela

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lord bela ot kaffa,
squire to Baron Sir Fum,
member of House Kaffa
resident of the Eastern Kingdom and Bhakail

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 11:21 pm

Didn't see it there, but you can get Maurice's Strategikon in English translation from Amazon.com for $17.50 US. Attractive even to me (despite the exchange rate).

BTW, I've added a few more links to the page I mentioned before, so you can see more of the pictures large size. I ought to be able to finish the links off in a few days.

In the meantime, there's also about 20 contemporary pictures (10th century) in the wall paintings in the Hidden Church and the Dovecote Church in Kappadokia at www.geocities.com/egfrothos/Dovecote.html

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Egfroth

"Power; it corrupts! I can FEEL it!!
see my webpage at www.geocities.com/egfrothos

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 4:44 am

I'm sorry to say geocities has stuffed up my web page on Byzantine armour. The thumbnails have somehow gotten messed up.

However, the links still work, so just click on them anyway if you want to look at the pictures. In the meantime I'll see if I can sort out the mess.