Byzantine battle tactics The Byzantine army evolved from that of the late Roman Empire . The language of the army was still Latin ( though later and especially after the 6th century Greek dominates , as Greek became the official language of the entire empire ) but it became considerably more sophisticated in terms of strategy , tactics and organization . For example , the Byzantine army was the first army in the world to adopt combined arms task forces as part of its doctrine . Unlike the Roman legion s , its strength was in its armoured cavalry Cataphract s , which evolved from the " Clibanarii " of the late empire . Infantry were still used but mainly in support roles and as a base of maneuver for the cavalry . Most of the foot - soldiers of the empire were the armoured infantry " Skutatoi " and later on , " Kontarioi " ( plural of the singular " Kontarios " ) , with the remainder being the light infantry and archers of the " Psiloi " . The Byzantines valued intelligence and discipline in their soldiers far more than bravery or brawn . The " Ρωμαίοι στρατιώται " were a loyal force composed of citizens willing to fight to defend their homes and their state to the death , augmented by mercenaries . Infantry conscription was practiced , with every citizen eligible to serve . The training was very much like that of the legionaries , with the soldiers taught close quarters , melee techniques with their swords . But as in the late Empire , archery was extensively practiced . Brief structural history . Over the course of its long history , the armies of Byzantium were reformed and reorganized many times . The only constants in its structure were its complexity and high levels of professionalism . However , the Empire ' s military structure can be broadly divided into three periods : East Roman , Thematic and Tagmatic . At the fall of the Western Empire in 476 , the Byzantine army was simply the surviving , eastern half of the Late Roman army . Though structurally very similar to its western counterpart , it differed in several important ways notably : It had more and heavier cavalry , more archers and other missile troops and fewer Foederati . These differences may have been contributing factors to the eastern empire ' s survival . It was with this East Roman army , that much of the western empire was reconquered in the campaigns of the generals Belisarius and Narses . It was during this time , under Emperor Justinian I , that the revitalized empire reached its greatest territorial extent and the army its greatest size of over 330 , 000 men by 540 . Later , under the general and Emperor Heraclius , the Sassanid Empire of Persia was finally defeated . Late in Heraclius ' reign , however , a major new threat suddenly arose to the empire ' s security in the form of the Saracens ( Mohammedans or Muslims under the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates ) . Spurred on by their new religion , Islam , which demanded the subjugation of the world or its conversion to " dar al - Islam " , driven by a still - strong tribal warfare mentality , these invaders rapidly overran many of the empire ' s wealthiest and most important regions , especially Syria , the Levant and Egypt . This new challenge , which seriously threatened the empire ' s survival , compelled Heraclius and his immediate successors , in the mid - 7th century , to undertake a major reform of the Byzantine military system to provide for a more cost effective local defense of its Anatolian heartland . The result was the theme system , which served as both administrative and military divisions , each under the command of a military governor or strategos . The theme was a division - sized unit of around 9 , 600 , stationed in the theme ( administrative district ) in which it was raised and named for . The themes were not simply garrison troops , however , but mobile field forces capable of supporting neighboring themes in defensive operations , or joining together to form the backbone of an imperial expeditionary force for offensive campaigns . It was under this new system that the Byzantine army is generally considered to have come into its own , distinct from its late Roman precursor . The Thematic system proved to be both highly resilient and flexible , serving the empire well from the mid - 7th through the late 11th centuries . Not only did it hold back the Saracens , but some of Byzantium ' s lost lands were recaptured . The thematic armies also vanquished many other foes including the Bulgars , Avars , Slavs and Varangians , some of whom eventually ended up in the service of Constantinople as allies or mercenaries . In addition to the themes , there was also the central imperial army stationed in and near Constantinople called the Tagmata . The tagmata were originally battalion - sized units of guards and elite troops who protected the emperors and defended their capital city . Over time , though , their size increased to that of regiment s and brigade s . The number of tagmata grew as well . The term , thus , became synonymous with the central field army . Due to growing military pressures together with the empire ' s shrinking economic and manpower base , the themes began to decline . As they did so , the size and importance of the tagmata increased , due also to growing fears of the emperors over the potential dangers the strategoi and their themes posed to their power . The final , fatal blow to the thematic army occurred in the aftermath of the disaster at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 , when a new enemy , the Seljuk Turks , overran most of Asia Minor along with most the empire ' s themes . Once again , the empire was forced to adapt to a new strategic reality with reduced borders and resources . Under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos the themes were done away with and the military restructured around the tagmata , some of which were stationed in the provinces , but the majority usually remained near Constantinople when not on campaign . Tagmata would henceforth take on yet a third meaning as a generic term for a standing military unit of regimental size or larger . This tagmatic army , which includes those of the Komnenian and Palaiologan dynasties , would serve the empire in its final stages from the late 11th to the mid - 15th centuries , a period longer than the entire lifespans of many other empires . The tagmatic armies would also prove resilient and flexible , even surviving the near destruction of the empire in the aftermath of the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade in 1204 . They would eventually retake the capital for Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos in 1261 , and though reduced by then to a small force , barely exceeding 20 , 000 men at most , would continue to defend the empire ably until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 . In no small part due to increased reliance on mercenaries from the " Latin " west , the later tagmatic armies would come to resemble those of western Europe at the time , more than their Roman , Greek or Near - Eastern antecedents . Infantry . Infantry types and equipment . Skoutatoi . The bulk of the Byzantine infantry were the " skoutatoi " , named from the word " skouton " , for their large oval or kite - shaped shield . Their armor and weapons included : Each unit had different shield decoration . Unarmoured light infantrymen , often armed with javelins , were known as in classical times as " peltastoi " . Toxotai and Psiloi . The standard light infantry of the empire , in each chiliarchia they made up the last three lines . These soldiers , highly trained in the art of bow were formidable archers . Most of the Imperial archers came from Asia Minor , especially the region around Trebizond on the Black sea , where they were raised , trained and equipped . Their arms included : Although military manuals prescribed the use of light armour for archers , cost and mobility considerations would have prohibited wide - scale implementation of this . Varangians . The Varangian Guard was a foreign mercenary force and the elite of the Byzantine infantry . It was composed principally of Vikings , Nordic , Slavic and Germanic peoples , after 1066 it was increasingly English in composition . The Varangians served as the bodyguard ( escort ) of the emperor since the time of Basil II , and were generally considered to be well - disciplined and loyal so long as funds remained to pay them . Although most of them brought their weapons with them when entering the Emperor ' s service , they did gradually adopt Byzantine military dress and equipment . Their most characteristic weapon was a heavy axe , hence their designation as " pelekyphoros phroura " , the " axe - bearing guard " . Infantry organization and formation . The primary Byzantine infantry formations were the " Chiliarchiai " , from the Greek , " chilia " meaning thousand , because they had about 1000 fighting men . A Chiliarchy was generally made up of 650 skutatoi and 350 toxotai . The skutatoi formed a line of 15 - 20 ranks deep , in close order shoulder to shoulder . The first line was called the " kontarion " , the first four lines were made up of skutatoi the remaining three of toxotai . Three or four Chiliarciai formed a " Tagma " ( brigade ) in the later empire ( after 750 ) but Chiliarchy - sized units were used throughout the empire ' s life . The Chiliarciai were deployed facing the enemy , with the cavalry on their wings . The infantry would counter march to make a refused center , while the cavalry would hold or advance to envelope or outflank the enemy . This was similar to the tactic Hannibal employed at Cannae . The Chiliarciai were deployed not in classic checkered Quincunx pattern but in a long line with enveloping flanks . Each chiliarchy could assume different battle formations depending on the situation , the most common of these were : Infantry tactics and strategies . Although the Byzantines developed highly sophisticated infantry tactics , the main work of battle was done by cavalry . The infantry still played an important role when the empire needed to demonstrate its strength . In fact many battles , throughout Byzantine history , began with a frontal assault by the skutatoi with support from the horse archer units known as " Hippo - toxotai " ( " Equites Sagittarii " ) . During these assaults the infantry was deployed in the center , that consisted of two chiliarchiai in wedge formation to break enemy ' s line , flanked by two more chilarchiai in a " refused wing formation " to protect the center and envelop the enemy . This was the tactic used by Nicephorus Phocas against the Bulgars in 967 . Each charge was supported by toxotai that left the formation and preceded the skutatoi in order to provide missile fire . Often , while the infantry engaged their enemy counterparts , the Clibanophori would destroy the enemy ' s cavalry ( this tactic was used mainly against Franks , Lombards or other Germanic tribes who deployed armoured cavalry ) . Byzantine infantry were trained to operate with cavalry and to exploit any gaps created by the cavalry . An effective but risky tactic was to send a chiliarchia to seize and defend a high position , such as the top of a hill as a diversion , while the Cataphracts or Klibanophoroi , supported by the reserve infantry , enveloped the enemy ' s flank . The infantry was often placed in advanced positions in front of the cavalry . At the command " aperire spatia " , the infantry would open a gap in their lines for the cavalry to charge through . Cavalry . Cavalry types and equipment . Kataphraktoi . The Imperial Cataphract was an armoured cavalry horse archer and lancer who symbolized the power of Constantinople in much the same way as the Legionary represented the might of Rome . The Cataphract wore a conical - shaped casqued helmet , topped with a tuft of horsehair dyed in his unit ' s colour . The helmet was often complemented by chain mail , either as just an aventail to protect the neck and elbows or as a mask concealing the wearer ' s face . He wore a long shirt of doubled layered chain or scale mail , which extended down to his upper legs . And over the chain mail he would also use a lamellar cuirass that could have sleeves or not . Leather boots or greave s protected his lower legs , while gauntlet s protected his hands . He carried a small , round shield , the " thyreos " , bearing his unit ' s colours and insignia strapped to his left arm , leaving both hands free to use his weapons and control his horse . Over his mail shirt he wore a surcoat of light weight cotton and a heavy cloak both of which were also dyed in unit colours . The horses often wore mail armour and surcoats as well to protect their vulnerable heads , necks and chests . The Cataphract ' s weapons included : The lance was topped by a small flag or pennant of the same colour as helmet tuft , surcoat , shield and cloak . When not in use the lance was placed in a saddle boot , much like the carbine rifles of modern cavalrymen . The bow was slung from the saddle , from which also was hung its quiver of arrows . Byzantine saddles , which included stirrups ( adopted from the Avars ) , were a vast improvement over earlier Roman and Greek cavalry , who had very basic saddles without stirrups or even no saddles at all . The Byzantine state also made horse breeding a priority for the Empire ' s security . If they could not breed enough high quality mounts , they would purchase them even from the other cultures . Light Cavalry . The Byzantines fielded various types of light cavalry to complement their " Kataphraktos " , in much the same way as the Romans employed auxiliary light infantry to augment their armoured infantry legionaries . Due to the empire ' s long experience , they were wary of relying too much upon foreign auxiliaries or mercenaries ( with the notable exception of the Varangian Guard ) . Imperial armies usually comprised mainly citizens and loyal subjects . The decline of the Byzantine military during the 11th century is parallel to the decline of the peasant - soldier , which led to the increased use of unreliable mercenaries . Light cavalry were primarily used for scouting , skirmishing and screening against enemy scouts and skirmishers . They were also useful for chasing enemy light cavalry , who were too fast for the Catphracts . Light cavalry were more specialized than the Cataphracts , being either archers and horse slingers ( " psiloi hippeutes " ) or lancers and mounted Javelineers . The types of light cavalry used , their weapons , armour and equipment and their origins , varied depending upon the time and circumstances . In the 10th century military treatise " On Skirmishing " explicit mention is made of " Expilatores " , a Latin word which meant " robber " or " plunderer " but which is used to define a type of mounted scout or light raider . Also mentioned in descriptions of army - or thematic - level light cavalry are " trapezites " , " those whom the Armenians call " tasinarioi " " , who " should be sent out constantly to charge down on the lands of the enemy , cause harm and ravage them . " Indeed , the word " tasinarioi " may be the linguistic ancestor to the modern word Hussar . If the need for light cavalry became great enough , Constantinople would raise additional Toxotai , provide them with mounts and train them as Hippo - toxotai . When they did employ foreign light horsemen , the Byzantines preferred to recruit from steppe nomad tribes such as the Sarmatians , Scythians , Pechenegs , Khazars or Cumans . On occasion , they recruited from their enemies , such as the Bulgars , Avars , Magyars or Seljuk Turks . The Armenians were also noted for their light horsemen , the " tasinarioi " . Cavalry organization and formations . The Byzantine cavalrymen and their horses were superbly trained and capable of performing complex maneuvres . While a proportion of the Cataphracts ( " Kataphractos " or " Clibanophori " ) appear to have been lancers or archers only , most had bows and lances . Their main tactical units were the Numerus ( Also called at times Arithmos or Banda ) of 300 - 400 men . The equivalent to the old Roman Cohort or the modern Battalion , the Numeri were usually formed in lines 8 to 10 ranks deep , making them almost a mounted Phalanx . The Byzantines recognized that this formation was less flexible for cavalry than infantry but found the trade off to be acceptable in exchange for the greater physical and psychological advantages offered by depth . In the 10th century military treatise attributed to Emperor Nikephoros II , " On Skirmishing " , it is stated that the cavalry army of any mobile army commanded by the emperor must be of at least 8 , 200 riders , not including 1 , 000 household cavalry — that is , the force belonging personally to the Emperor . These 8 , 200 horse ought to be divided " into 24 units of up to three hundred men each . These twenty - four units , in turn , just as with the infantry , should make up four groupings of equal strength , each with six combat units . " In such an organisation , the author of " On Skirmishing " argues , the army can proceed on the march with these units " covering the four directions , front rear and the sides . " So important was a large number of cavalry for operations against the Arabs that " if the cavalry army should end up with an even smaller number [ than 8 , 000 horse ] , the emperor must not set out on campaign with such a small number . " When the Byzantines had to make a frontal assault against a strong infantry position , the wedge was their preferred formation for charges . The Cataphract Numerus formed a wedge of around 400 men in 8 to 10 progressively larger ranks . The first three ranks were armed with lances and bows , the remainder with lance and shield . The first rank consisted of 25 soldiers , the second of 30 , the third of 35 and the remainder of 40 , 50 , 60 etc . adding ten men per rank . When charging the enemy , the first three ranks fired arrows to create a gap in the enemy ' s formation then at about 100 to 200 meters from the foe the first ranks shifted to their kontarion lances , charging the line at full speed followed by the remainder of the battalion . Often these charges ended with the enemy infantry routed , at this point infantry would advance to secure the area and allow the cavalry to briefly rest and reorganize . Cavalry tactics and strategies . As with the infantry , the Cataphracts adapted their tactics and equipment in relation to which enemy they were fighting . In the standard deployment , four Numeri would be placed around the infantry lines . One on each flank with one on the right rear and another on the left rear . Thus the cavalry Numeri were not only the flank protection and envelopment elements but the main reserve and rear guard . The Byzantines usually preferred using the cavalry for flanking and envelopment attacks , instead of frontal assaults and almost always preceded and supported their charges with arrow fire . The front ranks of the numeri would draw bows and fire on the enemy ' s front ranks , then once the foe had been sufficiently weakened would draw their lances and charge . The back ranks would follow , drawing their bows and firing ahead as they rode . This combination of missile fire with shock action put their opponents at a grave disadvantage - If they closed ranks to better resist the charging lances , they would make themselves more vulnerable to the bows ' fire , if they spread out to avoid the arrows the lancers would have a much easier job of breaking their thinned ranks . Many times the arrow fire and start of a charge were enough to cause the enemy to run without the need to close or melee . A favorite tactic when confronted by a strong enemy cavalry force involved a feigned retreat and ambush . The Numeri on the flanks would charge at the enemy horsemen , then draw their bows turn around and fire as they withdrew ( the " Parthian Shot " ) . If the enemy horse did not give chase , they would continue harassing them with arrows until they did . Meanwhile the Numeri on the left and right rear would be drawn up in their standard formation facing the flanks and ready to attack the pursuing enemy as they crossed their lines . The foes would be forced to stop and fight this unexpected threat but as they did the flanking Numeri would halt their retreat , turn around and charge at full speed into their former pursuers . The enemy , weakened , winded and caught in a vice between two mounted phalanxes would break with the Numeri they once pursued now chasing them . Then the rear Numeri , who had ambushed the enemy horse , would move up and attack the unprotected flanks in a double envelopment . This tactic is similar to what Julius Caesar did at Pharsalus in 48 BC when his allied cavalry acted as bait to lure the superior horse of Pompey into an ambush by the six elite cohorts of his reserve " Fourth line " . The Arab and Mongol cavalries would also use variations of it later to great effect when confronted by larger and more heavily armed mounted foes . When facing opponents such as the Vandals or the Avars with strong armoured cavalry , the cavalry were deployed behind the armoured infantry who were sent ahead to engage the enemy . The infantry would attempt to open a gap in the enemy formation for the cavalry to charge through . Byzantine Art of War . Centuries of warfare enabled the Byzantines to write many treatises on the protocols of war which eventually contained strategies for dealing with traditional enemies of the state . These manuals enabled the wisdom of prior generations to find its way within newer generations of strategists . One such manual , the famous " Tactica " by Leo VI the Wise , provides instructions for dealing with various foes such as :