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In the period covered by this book the Byzantine Empire was almost at its peak, having overcome a series of crisis in previous centuries. The Byzantine army of this period was split into two broad catagories - the military frontier forces of the Thema, and the central field army, which was based in the area around Constantinople. This book looks at that field army (the Tághmata) and the Imperial Guard, based in Constantinople itself, as well as the units of the Imperial fleet based in the city.
This is one of those Osprey volumes that packs a great deal of information into its 64 pages. There were a surprisingly large number of different units serving within the Taghmata and Imperial Guard, each with their own history, organisation, types of officers and (often very colourful) uniforms. Each is dealt with in turn, with each element dealt with in some detail. The text is supported by a large number of surviving Byzantine artworks, and by the usual high quality Osprey artwork. A Byzantine army of this period must have been a very colourful sight!
This is an excellent entry in the Elite series, giving a good, rather detailed, overview of the core of the Byzantine Army during one of its more successful periods.
Chapters
Chronology
The Regiments - Formations & Organization
Weapons & Equipment
Select Biography
Author: Raffaele d'Amato
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 64
Publisher: Osprey
Year: 2012