The Byzantine cavalry were ideally suited to combat on the plains of Anatolia and northern Syria, which, from the seventh century onwards, constituted the principal battleground in the struggle against the forces of Islam.

Unlike the Roman legions, its strength was in its cavalry, especially the armoured cataphracts, which evolved from the clibanarii of the late empire. Infantry were still used but mainly as a base of maneuver for the cavalry, as well as in specialized roles.

Oct 1, 2022 · Byzantine Themata cavalry, circa 7th-8th century AD. The military manual of Strategicon (or Strategikon, Greek: Στρατηγικόν) written by Eastern Roman Emperor Maurice in the late 6th century dealt with the general military strategies of the early Byzantine army.

The increasing importance and even dominance of Byzantine cavalry in their military system could easily eclipse the role of Byzantine infantry. However, heavily armored, well-trained, and organized infantry remained the mainstay of the Byzantine army, without which the improvements in Byzantine cavalry would have been useless.

By the time of the so-called Byzantine era (the surviving eastern Roman Empire) true power on the battle field had long since passed into the hands of the cavalry. If there was any infantry, it was made up of archers, whose bows had longer range than the smaller bows of the horsemen.

Aug 14, 2015 · Unlike the legions, however, the core of the army was cavalry and fast-moving foot archers. Speed and firepower had become the trademarks of the “new Romans.” The stirrup reached the empire from China early in the fifth century, and increased the effectiveness of the cavalry enormously.

Cavalry formed about one-third of the units, but as a result of smaller units, about one-quarter of the Roman armies consisted of cavalry. About half the cavalry consisted of heavy cavalry (including the stablesiani). They were armed with spear or lance and sword and armored in mail.

Mar 27, 2024 · Byzantine cavalry, known for its mobility and versatility, set standards for mounted warfare that echoed through the Middle Ages and beyond. One notable contribution was the adoption of composite tactics, where cavalry was effectively integrated with infantry and archers.

Mar 5, 2024 · The study of Byzantine Cavalry Units reveals their indispensable role in shaping Byzantine military strategies and outcomes. Understanding their structure, tactics, and legacy offers valuable insights into the complexities of medieval warfare.

At the height of the Byzantine Empire, from the sixth to eleventh centuries, the cavalry was the mainstay of the Byzantine land forces. The heavy cavalry, known as cataphracts , dressed in mail covering their bodies in the Persian fashion and wore steel helmets.