Byzantine Infantryman

by DAWSON, TIMOTHYMCBRIDE, ANGUS

• ISBN13: 9781846031052
• ISBN10: 1846031052
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2007-06-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

The Byzantine Army was the closest the Middle Ages came to producing a military superpower. Having been trained to operate in small, highly mobile eight-man units adept at living off the land whilst on campaign, the Byzantine infantryman was a formidable foe. Built on a strong belief system that emphasized stealth, surprise, swift maneuvering, and overwhelming force, the Byzantine infantryman was trained in survival, sword, spear and archery techniques, as well as land and sea combat and fighting within the foulkon "turtle" formation. This book, written by Timothy Dawson, an expert in the training and techniques of the Byzantine Army, details the everyday experience of the infantryman from his recruitment, through his twice-a-day training regime, to his encounters with his enemies.

Author Biography

Dr Timothy Dawson gained his PhD in Classics (Byzantine Studies) in 2003. He has lectured and written extensively on Byzantine, Greek and Roman armies. He is editor of Medieval History Magazine and a keen reenactor. Timothy operated Australia's first historical European combat school, Amyna (Greek for 'defence'), near Sydney from 1984-87. Since then he has gone on to be internationally recognized as an expert on certain forms of arms and armor. The author lives in Yorkshire, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
Historical background
Military background
Chronology	p. 13
Recruitment	p. 15
Appearance	p. 16
Equipment	p. 19
Headgear
Body armour
Limb armour
Shields
Weaponry
Artillery
Training	p. 27
Conditions of Service	p. 32
During service
After service
Belief and Belonging	p. 43
On Campaign	p. 45
Experience of Battle	p. 50
Museums and Re-Enactment	p. 56
Glossary	p. 57
Bibliography	p. 59
Primary sources in translation
Untranslated primary sources
General works
Colour Plate Commentary	p. 61
Index	p. 64
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