Byzantine
THE BYZANTINE ARMY AT WAR: THE VANDALÂ WAR
Artist conception of Vandal and Alan warriors in North Africa. In 406 the East Germanic Vandals and their tribal confederates, including Germanic Suebi and Iranian Alans, crossed the Rhine. After an initial defeat at the hands of the Franks, the Vandals enlisted Alan support and smashed their way into Gaul, plundering the countryside mercilessly as they advanced into the south.…
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Ottoman advance towards Byzantine – 14th century
The speed of the Ottoman advance seemed nothing short of miraculous – as if ordained by God. By geography, custom and luck, the Ottomans were best placed to prosper from the disintegration of the Byzantine state. The early sultans, living close to their men and to nature, were attentive to…
The Latin Empire of Constantinople
The Battle of Adrianople occurred on April 14, 1205 between Bulgarians and Cumans under Tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria, and Crusaders under Baldwin I, who only months before had been crowned Emperor of Constantinople. It was won by the Bulgarians, who took Baldwin prisoner. AN IMPERIAL CORONATION On 16th May 1204…
The Byzantine Empire and the early Crusades
A map of western Asia Minor, showing the routes taken by Christian armies during the Crusade of 1101. The Byzantine Empire faced external threats to its security as well. In the west, the Normans were menacing the remaining Byzantine possessions in Italy. A much greater threat, however, came from the…
Byzantine Survival?
Byzantine troops in Battle of Yarmuk Muslim troops defending their position THE BATTLE OF YARMUK 636: The battle of Yarmuk in 636 was the decisive event which opened Syria to the Arab armies. The Byzantines operating in unfamiliar terrain were outmaneuvered and their troops were driven down the rocky ravines…
Roman-Persian War (572–591)
PRINCIPAL COMBATANTS: Persia vs. Rome and the GöktĂĽrks PRINCIPAL THEATER(S): Persia, Macedonia, Media, and Armenia MAJOR ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES: Persia sought territorial expansion at the expense of the East Roman Empire OUTCOME: Persia was defeated, suffered civil war, and made peace with Rome. APPROXIMATE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MEN UNDER ARMS:…
Achaia
The Prince of Achaia, Louis of Burgundy (1313-1316). Â Manuel Kantakouzenos. Despot of the Morea (1347-1380). A Frankish principality in southern Greece established after the overthrow of the Byzantine Empire by the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204). The French nobles William of Champlitte and Geoffrey I of Villehardouin undertook the conquest of…