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The False Dawn: Later Komnenan Byzantine

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on June 29, 2006 at 2:24:01 am
 

Later Komnenan Byzantine, AD 1143 - AD 1204

 

Draft list by Ulf Olsson

 

This list covers the Byzantine armies from the accession of Manuel Komnenos until the loss of Constantinople to the 4th Crusade.


 

Army List

 

0-1 Imperial Tagmatic Division

1c Tagmatic Kavallarioi

0-1 Tagmatic Kavallarioi (May only be used AD 1081-1143)

 

 

If the Imperial Tagmatic Division is used, it must be commanded by the C-in-C.

 

1-2 Provincial Division

1c Provincial Kavallarioi

1-2 Provincial Kavallarioi

 

0-2 Byzantine Infantry Division

1c Kontaratoi or Toxotai

0-1 Kontaratoi

1-2 Toxotai

 

0-1 Latinkon Division

1c Latinkon

1-2 Latinkon

 

0-1 Varangian Division

1c Varangian Guard

0-1 Varangian Guard

 

1-2 Skythikon Division

1c Skythikon

0-2 Skythikon

 

__May__ be classed as Ally AD 1071 – AD 1080.

 

0-1 Seljuq Turk Ally Division

1c Seljuq Ally Turks

0-2 Seljuq Ally Turkomen

 

Additional Units

0-2 Latinkon (Note 1)

2-4 Turkopouloi (Note 2)

0-4 Skythikon (Note 3)

0-2 Slav Heretics (Note 4)

 

Additional Unit Notes

No Additional Units may be added to an Allied Division

 

  1. Latinkon may only be added to the Imperial Tagmatic Division or a Provincial Division.
  2. Turkopouloi may not be added to a Byzantine Infantry Division or a Skythikon Division.
  3. Skythikon may be added to any Division except a Byzantine Infantry Division.
  4. Slav heretics may only be added to a Byzantine Infantry Division.


 

Mounted Units

 

Tagmatic Kavallarioi

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Elite)

3 Bases - 57 Pts

4 Bases - 72 Pts

 

__Comments:__

Includes the few surviving units of the old Tagmata as well as newly created Tagmatic units based in Constantinople. This is the elite of the ethnically Byzantine parts of the army and consists of full-time regular cavalry soldiers. The Tagmata retained good quality in this period and were well equipped, but high losses and reduced resources made them less effective than their predecessors.

 

Kavallarioi of Provincial Kavallarioi

Heavy Cavalry - Initiative 6 (Brittle)

3 Bases - 42 Pts

4 Bases - 52 Pts

 

__Comments:__

Represents the full-time professional cavalry of the provinces. They tend to lack cohesion and morale and are not always well equipped.

 

Latinkon

Light Chevaliers – Initiative 6 (Audacious)

2 Bases - 60 Pts, 56 Pts if Ally

3 Bases - 78 Pts, 72 Pts if Ally

 

Must be classed as Ally AD 1071 – AD 1080. May be classed as Ally AD 1081 – AD 1143.

 

__Comments:__

Latinkon are Norman and other Western mercenaries in Byzantine service. They are true medieval knights and very effective. In the early part of the period, especially during the civil wars, the western mercenaries were less than loyal to the Empire.

 

Skythikon

Light Horse Archers - Initiative 6 (Wave)

2 Bases - 36 Pts, 32 Pts if Allied

4 Bases - 60 Pts, 52 Pts if Allied

 

May be classed as Ally AD 1071 – AD 1080.

 

__Comments:__

These units depict Pecheneg and Cuman mercenaries in Byzantine service. They were effective troops, but were not always loyal during the civil wars.

 

Turkopouloi

Light Horse Archers - Initiative 6 (Wave, Expert)

2 Bases - 38 Pts

4 Bases - 64 Pts

 

__Comments:__

These units depict Christianised Turk mercenaries and their descendants. They were very effective troops.

 

Seljuq Ally Turks

Medium Horse Archers - Initiative 7 (Ally, Wave)

2 Bases - 38 Pts

4 Bases - 64 Pts

 

__Comments:__

Surprisingly enough, the Byzantines often allied with Seljuq Turk factions, especially during the civil wars at start of the period. The Seljuq 'Turks' are the professional troops of Turk potentates and very effective and reliable soldiers. Their loyalty is to their chief and not the Empire, however.

 

Seljuq Ally Turkomen

Light Horse Archers - Initiative 7 (Ally, Wave, Audacious)

2 Bases - 34 Pts

4 Bases - 56 Pts

 

__Comments:__

The Turkomen are the tribal warriors of the Seljuq armies and make up the bulk of their forces. They tend to be rather unreliable, but they are also very skilled horse archers. See above.

 

Foot Units

 

Varangian Guard

Heavy Shock - Initiative 7 (Deep Line)

4 Bases - 42 Pts

6 Bases - 57 Pts

8 Bases - 72 Pts

 

__Comments:__

The Varangians in Byzantine were the elite of the infantry and had a great reputation for combat effectiveness, as well as a remarkable reputation for political reliability. Whether they always lived up to their reputation is less than certain, though. During this period the original Russians and Scandinavians were joined by increasing numbers of English exiles.

See: Varangians- Depiction from the Skylitzes Madrid MS

http://tinyurl.com/nqnbf

 

Kontaratoi

Medium Shieldsmen - Initiative 6 (Brittle, Shieldwall)

6 Bases 26 Pts

8 Bases 32 Pts

 

__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 the case.

 

Toxotai

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 6 (Brittle)

6 Bases 32 Pts

8 Bases 40 Pts

 

__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.

 

Slav Heretics

Medium or Light Irregulars – Initiative 6

4 Bases 20 Pts

6 Bases 26 Pts

 

__Comments:__

Lightly equipped infantry javelinmen recruited from Slav heretic communities in the border areas.

 

Bolt Shooters and Stone Throwers

Artillery

1 Base - 20 Pts

 

__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. Artillery can only be used if deployed inside a fortified camp.

 

Fortified Camp

Heavy Fortification

1 Width - 10 Pt

 

__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.

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