Byzantine Imperial Guardsmen 925–1025

The Tághmata and Imperial Guard

Byzantine Imperial Guardsmen 925–1025 cover

Byzantine Imperial Guardsmen 925–1025

The Tághmata and Imperial Guard

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Description

The hundred-year period ending in 1025, from the reign of the Emperor Constantine VII to that of Basil II 'the Bulgar-Slayer', encompassed the last great era of Byzantine aggression and dominance in the Near East and Balkans. During that time, a succession of soldier-emperors challenged and defeated an array of opponents on land and at sea and reconquered vast swathes of territory. At the heart of the Emperors' forces were the professional, highly mobile Tagmata or Imperial Guard regiments, originally formed to guard the Emperor¹s person in the capital but invariably deployed as elite combat troops. Joining these heavy cavalry units, were a variety of exotic mercenary units recruited from foreigners, notably the legendary Varangians. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork, this lively study sheds new light on the colourful regiments of the Byzantine Imperial Guard, the formidable warriors who provided the Byzantine emperors with an insurance policy in the capital, and the elite of their field armies when on campaign.

Table of Contents

Introduction – historical background /Chronology of campaigns and battles /Byzantine army organization: the Themata and Tagmata /The Tagmata, regimental organization and histories: heavy armoured cavalry units – archer units – infantry units /The Imperial Guard on ceremonial duties /The Imperial Guard on campaign and in battle /Uniforms, armour and weapons /Bibliography /Index

Product details

Published Aug 21 2012
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781849088503
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 8 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Elite
Short code ELI 187
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Raffaele D’Amato

Raffaele D'Amato, PhD, is the author of some 40 bo…

Illustrator

Giuseppe Rava

Giuseppe Rava was born in Faenza in 1963, and took…

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