Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
London Osprey 1979
Description
The Byzantines had a remarkably sophisticated approach to politics and military strategy. Unlike most of their contemporaries, they learnt very early in their history that winning a battle did not necessarily win a war, and they frequently bought off their enemies with treaties and bribes rather than squander men and matériel in potentially fruitless campaigns. The Byzantine army of the 10th and early 11th centuries, at the height of its power and efficiency, was the best-organised, best-trained, best-equipped and highest-paid in the known world. This splendid book by Ian Heath examines the Byzantine Armies from 886-1118, including the lusty, hard-fighting, hard-drinking 'barbarian' Varangian guard.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AlexTheHunn
This is a slim volume that gives a wealth of pictures of armor and weaponry used by the Byzantines. My own knowledge of weaponry is sketchy at best so this is highly instructive to me when I have a need for info like this.
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
A good solid Osprey Book, covering the glory days of the resurgent empire. Too few pictures, too little text, I want the world for nothing!
Language
Physical description
25 cm
ISBN
0850453062 / 9780850453065
Local notes
Men-at-Arms 89
Sequel to Romano-Byzantine Armies 4th-9th Centuries by David Nicolle, and followed by Byzantine Armies 1118-1461 by David Nicolle.
Sequel to Romano-Byzantine Armies 4th-9th Centuries by David Nicolle, and followed by Byzantine Armies 1118-1461 by David Nicolle.