Later Thematic Byzantine, AD 744 - AD 963

Draft list by Ulf Olsson

A Thematic Byzantine army is either a Field Army or a Regional Force.

The Later Thematic Byzantine army list covers the period from the establishment of the elite Tagmatic regiments until the 10th century shift to the offensive.

Field Army

The Field Army depicts the large-scale forces assembled for major campaigns. It consists of forces drawn from the centrally controlled Tagmata, several Themes (military districts) along with mercenary units.

The empire could only deploy a single Field Army, since the elite units were not numerous and very expensive to raise and maintain.

Regional Force

The Regional Force depicts the forces based in border Themes and locally available allies and mercenaries. The main task was to defend the frontier from smaller enemy forces and wage flexible guerrilla-style war against major enemy invasions until the Field Army could join it.

Themes were not expected to undertake major offensives on their own, but could be used in cross-border raiding.

The Regional Force does usually not include significant numbers of Tagmatic units, but some might be dispatched to bolster defences in especially threatened sectors.

A Regional Force containing only mounted units depicts a raiding/counter-raiding force. A raiding force might be dispatched to gain time for the Field Army to arrive for a decisive counter-attack.

A Regional force including any infantry depicts a border defence force and must include at least one Thematic Levy Division.

The empire could field several Regional Forces at the same time.

For a list of sources used to compile this list, please see Byzantine Sources.

Field Army

Terrain: Normal - Hilly

1 Tagmatic Division

1c Kavallarioi of Scholae or Hetaereia Tagmata

0-3 Kavallarioi of other Imperial Tagmata

1-3 Thematic Cavalry Division

1c 1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-1 1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-2 2nd Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-1 Kursores

1-3 Thematic Infantry Division

1c Hoplitai

0-1 Hoplitai

0-1 Akontistai

0-1 Toxotai

0-2 Thematic Levy Division

1c Trapezitai or Thematic Levy Archers or Thematic Levy Javelinmen

1-2 Thematic Levy Archers

1-2 Thematic Levy Javelinmen

0-1 ‘Persian Turmae’ Division (AD 834 – AD 839)

1c ‘Persian’ Cavalry

1-2 ‘Persian’ Cavalry

0-1 ‘Persian’ Light Cavalry

The ‘Persian Turmae’ can only be used on the Eastern frontier.

0-1 Allied Armenian Division

1c Armenian Ally Cavalry

1 Armenian Ally Spearmen

0-1 Armenian Ally Archers

An Allied Armenian Division may only be used on the Eastern Frontier.

0-1 Allied Lombard Division

1c Lombard Ally Cavalry

1-2 Lombard Ally Spearmen

1 Lombard Ally Archers

An Allied Lombard Division replaces one Thematic Infantry Division. A Lombard Division must be used in Italy. It cannot be used outside Italy.

0-1 Allied Georgian Division

1c Georgian Ally Cavalry

0-1 Georgian Ally Azatks

0-1 Georgian Ally Spearmen

0-1 Georgian Ally Archers

An Allied Georgian Division can only be used on the Eastern frontier.

Additional Units

0-1 Kataphraktoi (only outside Italy in AD 903 - AD 963)(Note 1)

0-1 Lombard or Armenian Noble Cavalry (Note 2)

0-2 Prokorsatores or Trapezitai (Note 3)

0-1 Rus Druzhina (only AD 900 - AD 963) or Armenian Mercenary Spearmen (Note 4)

0-20 Ditch and bank camp defences (Note 5)

0-2 Bolt-shooters and Stone-throwers (Note 6)

Additional Unit Notes

1. Kataphraktoi may only be added to the Tagmatic Division. It cannot be used in Italy and is only available AD 903 – AD 963
2. Lombard/Armenian Noble Cavalry may not be added to Thematic Infantry Division.
3. Prokorsatores orTrapezitai may not be added to Thematic Infantry Division.
4. Rus Druzhina or Armenian Mercenary Spearmen may not be added to a Thematic Cavalry Division.
5. Ditch and bank camp defences may only be used if defending in a positional battle. At least 10 widths of camp fortifications must be used if any are. A fortified camp must completely enclose the area of the camp or abut the Byzantine rear table edge and/or a river or sea. The camp enclosure must be continous except for one or two gaps representing the camp gates. The gate gap(s) must be exactly one base width wide.
6. Artillery may only be deployed inside a Byzantine camp and cannot be moved during the game.

Regional Force

Terrain: Normal - Hilly

2-4 Thematic Cavalry Division

1c 1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-1 1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-2 2nd Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

0-1 Kursores

0-4 Thematic Infantry Division

1c Hoplitai

0-1 Hoplitai

0-1 Akontistai

0-1 Toxotai

0-2 Thematic Levy Division

1c Trapezitai or Thematic Levy Archers or Thematic Levy Javelinmen

1-2 Thematic Levy Archers

1-2 Thematic Levy Javelinmen

At least one Thematic Levy Division must be used if any infantry units are fielded.

0-1 Allied Armenian Division

1c Armenian Ally Cavalry

1 Armenian Ally Spearmen

0-1 Armenian Ally Archers

An Allied Armenian Division can only be used on the eastern frontier.

0-1 Allied Lombard Division

1c Lombard Ally Cavalry

1-2 Lombard Ally Spearmen

1 Lombard Ally Archers

An Allied Lombard Division must be used in Italy. It cannot be used outside Italy.

Optional Units

0-2 Kavallarioi of other Imperial Tagmata (Note 1)

0-1 Lombard or Armenian Noble Cavalry (Note 2)

0-1 Trapezitai (Note 3)

0-1 Kursores (Note 3)

0-1 Armenian Mercenary Spearmen (Note 4)

0-20 Ditch and bank camp defences (Note 5)

0-2 Bolt-shooters and Stone-throwers (Note6)

Optional Unit Notes:

No optional unit may be added to a Thematic Levy Division, nor to any Allied Division.

1. Tagmata may only be added to a Thematic Cavalry Division. If Kavallarioi of other Imperial Tagmata are used, 1 such unit must be commanded by the Division’s general.
2. Lombard/Armenian Noble Cavalry can only be added to a Thematic Cavalry Division.
3. Trapezitai and Hyperkerastai may only be added to a Thematic Cavalry Division.
4. Armenian Mercenary Spearmen may not be added to a Thematic Cavalry Division.
5. Ditch and bank camp defences may only be used if defending in a positional battle. At least 10 widths of camp fortifications must be used if any are. A fortified camp must completely enclose the area of the camp or abut the Byzantine rear table edge and/or a river or sea. The camp enclosure must be continous except for one or two gaps representing the camp gates. The gate gap(s) must be exactly one base width wide.
6. Artillery may only be deployed inside a Byzantine camp and cannot be moved during the game.

Mounted Units

Kataphraktoi (AD 903 – AD 963)

Armoured Cavalry - Initiative 7 (Elite, Bow, Deep Line)

2 Bases 52 Pts

3 Bases 72 Pts

Comments:

Very heavily armoured shock cavalry on armoured horses drawn from the elite Tagmatic regiments. This unit was supposed to deliver the main ‘punch’ to an enemy battle-line. It operated in deep wedge formation and was closely supported by Kavallarioi and Prokorsatores. The Katafraktoi were very effective, but also very expensive to raise and maintain. They are only available in AD 903 and later.

Kavallarioi of Scholae or Hetaereia Tagmata

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 8 (Bow)

2 Bases 48 Pts

3 Bases 66 Pts

Comments:

Imperial bodyguard unit consisting of the very best units in the elite Tagmata based in and around the Imperial palaces.

Kavallarioi of other Tagmata

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 7 (Bow)

3 Bases 57 Pts

4 Bases 72 Pts

Comments:

Includes the Excubitai, Vigla, Arithmos, etc. This is the elite of the Byzantine army and consists of full-time regular soldiers based in and around Constantinople itself.

1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Bow, Deep Line)

3 Bases 48 Pts

4 Bases 60 Pts

Comments:

The 1st Rate Thematic Kavallarioi represent the very best of the provincial cavalry. They are well trained and equipped.

2nd Rate Thematic Kavallarioi

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Brittle, Deep Line)

3 Bases 42 Pts

4 Bases 52 Pts

Comments:

Represents the bulk of provincial cavalry with less training and equipment. They lack skill in horse archery and consist almost entirely of lancers.

Prokorsatores or Trapezitai

Light Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Bow, Wave)

2 Bases 32 Pts

4 Bases 52 Pts

Comments:

Prokorsatores were the best units of light cavalry in the regular Byzantine army. It consists of lancers supported by horse archers. One of its main battlefield tasks was to support and shield the advance of the Katafraktoi. Trapezitai were similarly equipped light cavalry scouts and spies based in border regions.

Kursores

Light Horse Archers - Initiative 6 (Wave)

2 Bases 36 Pts

4 Bases 60 Pts

Comments:

Light cavalry mainly armed with bows. Kursores were horse archers detached from the main body of Kavallarioi units to act as skirmishers in close co-operation with the lancers of their parent units. However, the Byzantine provincial units always had problems maintaining horse archer skills. Quality of Thematic units was highly variable and it is doubtful if all Thematic units had Kursores that could be detached.

Lombard or Armenian Noble Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Audacious)

4 Bases 60 Pts

Comments:

Noble retinues with good mounts and equipment. They are skilled but lack discipline. They are not a part of the regular army.

Lombard, Georgian or Armenian Ally Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Ally, Audacious)

3 Bases 42 Pts

4 Bases 52 Pts

Comments:

Heavy cavalry of contingents allied to the Byzantines. Skilled and well equipped, but not necessarily reliable.

‘Persian’ Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Wave)

4 Bases 60 Pts

Comments:

Heavy cavalry of the ‘Persian’ contingent that joined the Byzantines after losing a civil war against the Abbasids. Skilled and well equipped professional soldiers that were originally fielded in their own unit. Later parcelled out to reinforce existing Themes.

‘Persian’ Light Cavalry

Light Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Wave)

4 Bases 52 Pts

6 Bases 72 Pts

Comments:

Light cavalry of the ‘Persian’ contingent described above.

Foot Units

Druzhina (900 AD – 963 AD)

Heavy Shieldsmen + Berserker or Axemen Detachment (Medium Shock) - Initiative 6 (Deep Line, Audacious)

6 Bases 43 Pts

8 Bases 53 Pts

Comments:

Druzhina were the personal warrior retinues of Rus chieftains consisting of full-time mercenaries. They were highly effective warriors armed with a variety of melee weapons and of mixed ethnic backgrounds (mainly Slav/Rus and Scandinavian, but possibly others as well). Occasionally bands of these warriors were hired as mercenaries by the Byzantines.

Hoplitai

Medium Shieldsmen + Light Archer Detachment - Initiative 6 (Deep Line)

6 Bases 39 Pts, 33 Pts if Brittle

8 Bases 48 Pts, 40 Pts if Brittle

Must be Brittle AD 744 – AD 860, May be Brittle AD 861 – AD 963.

Comments:

These units represent the heavy infantry component of the main Byzantine infantry force of the period. The heavy infantry were supposed to be well drilled and disciplined, but their performance indicates that this was not always the case. The quality of the infantry improved toward the later parts of the period as the empire´s fortunes and finances improved.

Akontistai

Light Shieldsmen + Light Archer Detachment - Initiative 6

6 Bases 39 Pts, 33 Pts if Brittle

8 Bases 48 Pts, 40 Pts if Brittle

Optional Fire Siphoneer Detachment (Light Shock) + 5 Pts

Must be Brittle AD 744 – AD 860, May be Brittle AD 861 – AD 963.

Max 1 Akontistai Unit in the army may be upgraded with a Fire Siphoneer Detachment

Comments:

These units represent the light infantry component of the main Byzantine infantry force of the period. They consist of fast-moving javelinmen supported by archers and slingers. One Akontistai unit can be supported by specialist troops using Greek Fire siphons and/or incendiary grenades. The quality of the infantry improved toward the later parts of the period as the empire´s fortunes and finances improved.

Toxotai

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 6

6 Bases 38 Pts, 32 Pts if Brittle

8 Bases 48 Pts, 40 Pts if Brittle

Must be Brittle AD 744 – AD 860, May be Brittle AD 861 – AD 963.

Comments:

Lightly equipped infantry archers of the Themes. The quality of the infantry improved toward the later parts of the period as the empire´s fortunes and finances improved.

Thematic Levy Archers

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 5

4 Bases 23 Pts

6 Bases 31 Pts

Comments:

Lightly equipped infantry archers based in the Themes. Although soldiers of the regular army, they lack training and organisation. They are very valuable in border warfare as lightly equipped infantry with local knowledge in guerrilla-style operations, especially in the rugged mountains of the borderlands, but are unsuited to regular combat.

Thematic Levy Javelinmen

Medium or Light Irregulars – Initiative 5

4 Bases 17 Pts

6 Bases 22 Pts

Comments:

Lightly equipped infantry javelinmen archers based in the Themes. See Thematic Levy Archers above.

Armenian Mercenary Spearmen

Heavy Shieldsmen – Initiative 6

6 Bases 38 Pts

8 Bases 48 Pts

Comments:

Mercenary heavy infantry of good quality. Not part of regular army.

Lombard Ally Archers

Light or Medium Archers – Initiative 5 (Ally)

4 Bases 20 Pts

Comments:

Infantry archers from the Italian parts of the empire. They formed part of the regular local defence forces, but were of limited skill and reliability.

Georgian or Armenian Ally Archers

Light or Medium Archers – Initiative 6 (Ally)

4 Bases 24 Pts

Comments:

Infantry archers from the peripheral parts of the empire and/or allied states. They formed part of allied levies, but were of limited skill and reliability.

Lombard, Georgian or Armenian Ally Spearmen

Medium Shieldsmen - Initiative 5 (Ally)

6 Bases 26 Pts

8 Bases 32 Pts

Comments:

Infantry spearmen from the peripheral parts of the empire and/or allied states. They formed part of allied levies, but were of limited skill and reliability.

Bolt Shooters and Stone Throwers

Artillery

1 Base 20 Pts

Artillery can only be used if defending in a positional battle. It must be deployed inside a Fortified Camp.

Comments:

The Byzantine army had a range of sophisticated artillery pieces of various sizes and types. Most were used in sieges, but the lighter types were also used for defending the army’s marching camps.

Fortified Camp

Medium Fortification

1 Width 8 Pt

The Fortified Camp may only be used if defending in a positional battle.

Comments:

According to regulations, the Byzantine army was always supposed to erect Roman-style marching camps in enemy territory. This was not always done, however. In addition, some battles took place a considerable distance away from fortified camps, so the fortified camp is not compulsory.