Byzantine Armies 886–1118

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.

List of contents

Introduction · Organization · The Tagmata · The Varangian Guard · The Theme System · The Terrible Day: Manzikert 1071 · The Post-Manzikurt Period · The Plates

About the author

Ian Heath is the highly respected author of Armies of the Nineteenth Century, a five-volume work covering the armies of 19th-century Asia. Ian lives in Cambridgeshire.Angus McBride was one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, and contributed to over 100 Osprey titles over several decades.

Product details

• Authors: Ian Heath, Heath Ian
• Assisted by: Angus McBride (Illustration), McBride Angus (Illustration)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2020
• EAN: 9780850453065
• ISBN: 978-0-85045-306-5
• No. of pages: 48
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 5 mm
• Weight: 202 g
• Illustrations: 50 b/w; 8 col
• Series: Men-at-Arms; Men-At-Arms (Osprey); Men-at-Arms; Men-At-Arms (Osprey)
• Subjects: Guides > Motor vehicles, aircraft, ships, space travel > Military vehicles, aircraft, ships; Humanities, art, music > History > Cultural history; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; History: specific events & topics, HISTORY / Military / General, History: specific events and topics, War and defence operations, War & defence operations