Osprey Men-at-Arms 287 : Byzantine Armies 1118-1461 AD

The Byzantine Empire's disastrous defeat by the Seljuk Turks at Manzikert in 1071 effectively marked the end of what is often described as the 'middle' period of Byzantine history. Thereafter, surrounded on all sides by younger, more vigorous nations, and with its own financial and manpower resources progressively dwindling, the once all-powerful Empire slipped into a steady decline which - though encountering occasional, sometimes lengthy, periods of remission - was to gradually gather speed and, ultimately, to prove terminal. However, the Empire's demise was anything but peaceful, and, one way or another, for much of the last four centuries of its existence it was to find itself in a state of virtually constant war. Ian Heath examines the history the Byzantine Empire and its armies from 1118-1461 AD complemented by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Introduction
• Military Chronology
• The Byzantine Armed Forces 1118-1453
• 'Soldiers Hired Amongst All Nations'
• The End of the Empire
• The Empire of Trebizond
• The Plates