a9 nsc 311 les 09 byzantinne empire

Evolution of Warfare: 

Evolution of Warfare The Byzantine Empire Major Joel B. Turk MOI

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objectives Know and recall the attempt by Justinian to reunite the old empire and his use of the tactical genius of his commanders, Belisarius and Narses Know and discus the Byzantine military philosophy Know and outline the Byzantine military system Know and identify the tactical and philosophical innovations of the Byzantines (i.e., cavalry, stirrup, and greek fire) Know and trace the succession of battles which culminated in the fall of Constantinople

Background: 

Background 500 years between the death of Caesar and the fall of Rome The Roman Empire continued for another 1000 years Constantine the Great move the capital to Constantinople Great commerce and wealth Many invasion attempts Eastern and Western Empire While the West was divided the East survived

The Wandering of Nations: 

The Wandering of Nations Volkerwanderung Crossing of the Danube Western Empire was digested into independent Kingdoms Eastern was not as much Huns, Moors, Vandals, Visogoths

The Wandering of Nations: 

The Wandering of Nations Huns, first big incursion in 395 Second in 441 447 Atilla invaded the Eastern Empire Earthquakes devastated many Greek cities 451 Attilla struck with 500,000 men Seige of Orleans and the Battle of Chalons in 451 Attilla loses 300,000 Came back for more in 452 Died on the night of his second wedding in 453

Pope King of Rome: 

Pope King of Rome Pope Leo upon the death of Attila Several events A girl’s prayer saved Paris Pope Leo visited Attila just before his death 11,000 virgins martyred in Cologne A Bishop saved Orleans Battle of Chalons one of the most decisive moments in western history

BYZANTIUM: SURVIVAL OF THE EAST: 

BYZANTIUM: SURVIVAL OF THE EAST THE CHURCH HAD CLOSE TIES WITH THE STATE BYZANTIUM WAS ECONOMICALLY PROSPEROUS A CENTRALIZED, AUTOCRATIC RULE WAS MAINTAINED THERE WAS WISE LEADERSHIP OVER THE LONG TERM A SENSIBLE MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSPHY PREVAILED

MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSPHY: 

MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSPHY SURVIVAL ORIENTED AS OPPOSED TO EXPANSIONIST POLICY NATIVE-BORN SOLDIERS STILL HAD TO USE SOME MERCENARIES MUCH MORE SO THAN THE WEST RUSES USED, NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE MORALITY OF WAR

MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSPHY (CONT): 

MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSPHY (CONT) WARFARE WAS CAREFULLY STUDIED AND ANALYZED THE CATAPHRACT (DISCIPLINED HEAVY CALVARY) SYMBOLIZED THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE THE SAME WAY THE LEGION REPRESTED ROME WELL TRAINED AND DRILLED GREAT EMPHASIS ON ARCHERY MARKSMANSHIP AND CONSTANT PRACTICE IN THE USE OF WEAPONS SCARCE RESOURCES FOR WAR CREATED AN EMPHASIS ON GOOD GENERALSHIP

Slide11: 

( (1) Central Front Line (2) Central Second Line (3) Reserve/rear security (5) distant envelopment/screening units

JUSTINIAN: 

JUSTINIAN RULED FROM 527-565 A.D. EGO-HEIR TO THE CEASERS AND CHURCH HEAD SUPPRESSED THE ARIAN HERESY Denies that Christ is one substance with the Father His wars took on the character of crusades, lead the heathen peoples into the Christian fold. UNDERTOOK THE RECONQUEST OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Successful in Africa and Italy Excellent weaponry, mobility and shock of his horse archers Brilliant leadership of Belisarius and Narses

BELISARIUS: 

BELISARIUS 529-549 A.D. AT 27 HE WAS JUSTINIAN’S BODYGUARD DARIUS (530) AD DECIMUM (533) TRICAMERON (533)

Daras: 

Daras Empire had suffered a number of defeats on the Persian Frontier, 530 AD 40,000 Persians advanced on the fortress of Daras, 25,000 under Belisarius Mostly new recruits Belisarius took an offensive - defensive, and constructed intricate system of obstacles (ditches) Knew the Persians would attack because of their contempt for the Byzantines and their Superior #s Trapped Persians and used combined forces of cavalry and infantry to defeat

Daras: 

Daras Used a wide and deep ditch in front of Daras but near enough to allow overhead fire from the fort Behind the main trench he put his less reliable infantry Used cross trenches to the main trenches and more trenches from them out to the outlying hills Placed heavy cavalry in the hills, light cavalry was posted to protect the heavy cavalry Baffled the Persians and they spent the first day conducting exploratory skirmishing Trapped Persians and used combined forces of cavalry and infantry to defeat

Daras: 

Daras Persians were careful not to push into the obvious trap on the center Split their efforts on the flanks Fighting confined to cavalry where Belisarius was least outnumbered and could most rely Archers could support the cavalry Persian armor was no match for Byzantine arrows

Daras: 

Daras Byzantine Left: Persian cavalry did ok until they were attacked in the rear by cavalry hidden in the hills and other light cavalry appeared on the left. Byzantine Right: Persian cavalry drove all the way to the walls but placed a gap between them and the center. Belisarius threw the remainder of his cavalry into the gap and drove the Persian cavalry from the battle Byzatine cavalry turned and hit the Persian infantry and decidedly ended the battle in the Byzantine favor First Persian lost the Byzantines in a long time

Battle Map: 

Battle Map

Ad Decimum: 

Ad Decimum Africa, 533 AD Justinian, for political and religious order the reconquer of Africa from the Vandals Belisarius set sail with 10,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry, landed at Cape Vada and marched on Carthage Formation 300 horsemen in Advance Guard 600 Huns on left flank 600 ships on his right flank

Ad Decimum: 

Ad Decimum Vandal King Gelimer attempted to ambush Belisarius at Ad Decimum (10th milestone)(10 miles from Carthage) Gelimer’s plan. His brother would engage the Advance Guard He would attack the main body in the rear His nephew would move over hills and hit the left flank Gelimer was numerically inferior, but had complicated plan based on simultaneous ambushes Gelimer attacks were not timed well, and he failed

Ad Decimum: 

Ad Decimum 13 September (could not have timed it better) Brother attacked to early, was mortally wounded and his troops fled Nephew was routed by the flank guard Gelimer hit the head of the main body and routed it. Did not exploit his success, fell back and found the body of his brother and called off the attack Just before nightfall, Belisarius rallied his troops and couterattacked and dispersed the Vandals Entered Carthage on 15 Sept

Tricameron: 

Tricameron Gelimer collected his shattered forces at Bulla Regia Sent for his brother Tzazan who was in Sardinia with 5,000 troops Gelimer had a force now of 50,000 and moved to Carthage Harassed Belisarius then retired to Tricameron and built a fortified camp

Tricameron: 

Tricameron Belisarius moved out of Carthage in two groups one day apart 500 Cavalry in the lead Gelimer led his army out of the fort Came across the cavalry eating its noon chow but did not attack Belisarius received a message of the situation and sent out his remaining 500 cavalry Gelimer left the initiative to the enemy and lost the cavalry battle When his infantry arrived, Belisarius marched on the Vandals camp

Battle Map: 

Battle Map

Tricameron: 

Tricameron Gelimer fled and his men followed Led to the surrender of the Vandals in March 534 bringing the Vandal Kingdom to and end.

Belisarius: 

Belisarius Brought back by Justinian, jealous of his success Ordered to Sicily in 535, then Italy in 536 where he enjoyed great success for five years with an army of only 8,000 Operations in Italy similar to Hannibal - could move about at will, but not enough support from Justinian to make impact overall

Belisarius: 

Belisarius Siege of Rome Vittigis (Goths) v Belisarius Extremley devastating Destroyed the aqueducts (350,000,000 of water a day) March 21 full scale assault April Belisarius attack and was somewhat successful December Belisarius attacked again and came so close the the Goth capital of Ravenna that the Goths raised the siege The Goth retreat was equal to Napoleons withdraw from Moscow

Belisarius: 

Belisarius Narses sent to help and watch Major conflict between the two Goths took advantage and took Milan Belisarius asked Justinian to pull Narses back and he did. Besieged Rome Took Revenna and the Crown of the Goths Sent the Nobles, the wealth and Vittigis to Constantinople

Belisarius: 

Belisarius Back to Constantinople Italy fell to Ildibad (Visogoths) 544 Belisarius back to Rome 546 Took Rome 549 Back to Constantinople Totila took Rome

Success of Belisarius: 

Success of Belisarius Developed new tactics Assumed he would have inferior numbers Induce his opponents to attack him under his conditions Used lack of numbers as an asset Strategy more psychological than logistical Knew how to provoke the barbarian armies into indulging their natural instinct for direct assault Take advantage of the Persians feeling of superiority

NARSES (549): 

NARSES (549) AT 73 PLACE IN COMMAND Goths recovered their losses and in 551 Justinian knew he needed a major effort in Italy in order to keep it. 2 Major Battles TAGINAE (552) CASILNUM (544)

Taginae: 

Taginae Narses arrived in Italy with a force of 20,000; avoided the main Frank-Goth army and marched on Rome Crossing the Apennines he met Totila, King of the Goths who had the road blocked with 15,000. Cavalry in front Infantry (archers) in the rear Totila – one big charge in the middle should do it!

Taginae: 

Taginae Narses: Dismounted some 8000 Cavalry and formed them in a solid phalanx in the center 4000 foot archers on each flank 500 mounted cavalry behind each wing of archers to protect them “so that an enemy advancing against the center would find himself in an empty space,half circled by the bowmen and exposed to a rain of arrows from both sides” Then left the initiative to the Goths!

Battle Map: 

Battle Map

Taginae: 

Taginae Goths cavalry attacked center of line, couldn’t advance, then were pinned down by Byzantine archers Gothic infantry move slowly because they were being harassed by the archers on their right flank and were unable to support their cavalry. The devastating fire drove the Gothic cavalry back on their infantry and all control was lost. When Goths broke up formation to retreat, Byzantine Cavalry overwhelmed them End of the Goths in Italy, 6000 dead in this battle

Casilinum 554: 

Casilinum 554 Two Frank armies of 75,000 entered Italy and joined the 15,000 remaining Goths Narses used Fabian tactics against them due to his inferior numbers. Frank armies split up for the Winter, one in the Po valley and one to the toe of the boot under Buccelin. In the Spring, Buccelin marched his 30,000 North Narses marched with 18,000 to meet him at Casilinum

Casilinum 554: 

Casilinum 554 Narses outmaneuvered Buccelin and forced the Franks to fight on the ground of his choosing. Narses used the same formation as he did at Taginae, calculated to fit the characteristic tactics of the Franks. They attacked on foot Weapons were close range type (spear, throwing axe and sword) Dismounted heavy cavalry to rein heavy infantry Cavalry on flanks (armored lancers with bows)

Casilinum 554: 

Casilinum 554 Franks charge broke first two rows and engaged third and last line Ordered bow armored Cavalry on each flank Cavalry did not charge, stayed out of throwing axe range and shot arrows. Franks could not retaliate without breaking formation The threat of combined arms forced the Franks to withdraw. Narses ordered a general attack and the Franks were annihilated

Battle Map: 

Battle Map

Justinian: 

Justinian Northern Frank army was destroyed by an epidemic Justinian’s war in Italy was over

Byzantine System: 

Byzantine System Variety of weapons and sound tactics enabled Byzantine system to be successful for years. Codified tactics and strategy into doctrine. Preferred winning without a battle Conservative, careful strategy with limited military aims. Defense in depth

Byzantine System: 

Byzantine System Defense in Depth Early Warning Cavalry tracked raiders Kept HHQ informed Harassing the raiders Cities closed their gates Reinforcements were used Ambush or trap the raiders with Cavalry and destroy with infantry

POST JUSTINIAN BYZANTIUM: 

POST JUSTINIAN BYZANTIUM 565- JUSTINIAN’S DEATH A. Thought of reconquering the West was set aside B. Threatened on the lower Danube by the Avars, Slavs and on the upper Euphrates by the Persians C. Shuttling of armies from one front to another

MAURICE (582-602 A.D.): 

MAURICE (582-602 A.D.) SELECTED AS HEIR TO THE THRONE STRATEGIKON AUTHOR Handbook for Field Commanders Weapons Armor Daily life on the march or in camp Clothing Food Military law Tactics

MILITARY REFORMS UNDER MAURICE: 

MILITARY REFORMS UNDER MAURICE SIX TO EIGHT NUMERI WERE GROUPED INTO THE EQUIVALENT OF A BRIGADE THREE SUCH BRIGADES FORMED A SMALL DIVISION OF 6,000-8,000 USE OF UNEQUAL NUMBERS SO ENEMY COULD NOT CALCULATE THE NUMBERS OF THE WHOLE ARMY PLEDGED OBEDIENCE TO THE REALM HE APPOINTED ALL OFFICERS ABOVE THE RANK OF CENTURIAN (NUMERUS) THIS TOOK AWAY THE POWER OF PARTRONAGE FROM THE GENERALS

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Cut the size of the standing army Deployed it as a central reserve and units for the frontier provinces Added to the frontier fortresses Divided the empire for purposes of recruiting and defenses into military provinces known as themes.

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Themes Subdivided into districts called Turmae Turmae divided into defense stations called Clissurae Clissurae had outposts (key terrain) During an attack the theme would use Fabian tactics until other themes would arrive to reinforce them

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Navy Strong, control the Byzantine trading centers and sea routes 5 permanent fleets Ships were small, fast galleys with two banks of oars, two masts and two sails Oarsman were trained to fight Each vessel has a small group of Marines Larger ships had revolving turrets and mounted war engines Bow tubes with greek fire (mixture of naptha, sulphur and quicklime) Cibyrrhaeots theme provided half the forces

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Army Cavalry was the main arm Carried a bow, long lance, boradsword, dagger and sometimes as ax. Armor; conical helmet, chain mail gloves, gauntlets, small round shield on left arm, steel shoes and some horses had armor on their heads. Training: charging cavalry shooting arrows and follow it up with the lance.

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Army Numeri of the cavalry formed lines of 8-10 horsemen in depth. Infantry was a secondary arm and divided into heavy and light Heavy – much like the cavalry Light – mostly archers, some javelin. Carried little armor for better mobility Highly disciplined. Records of night attacks

Maurice Reforms: 

Maurice Reforms Army Engineers Medical – Doctor, surgeon and stretcher bearers Signal service Messengers Signal flares Chaplains – priests or monks Officer were trained early in life

The Decline of the Empire7th Century: 

The Decline of the Empire 7th Century In the East were the Persians, eager to gain control of the trade routes Byzantines responded with limited counterforce On the Northern Frontier were the Slavs Byzatines responded with a strategy of annihilation. The Slavs were temporarily halted A long war with Persia Depopulated their most dependable recruiting grounds

Long Term Results: 

Long Term Results

Islamic Invaders7th and 8th Centuries: 

Islamic Invaders 7th and 8th Centuries 11 Moslem invasions in 65 years Aftica, Syria and 1/2 of Turkey lost by 800 A.D. 717 and 718 Defense of Constantinople against a Moslem siege save Christian Europe from Moslem invasion

Battle of Manzikert, 1071Background: 

Battle of Manzikert, 1071 Background 7th and 9th Century Byzantium Outlying territories lost but main bastions were intact Basil I (867 - 886) and Basil II (985 - 1025) Ragained some of the lost territories Immunity from danger Neglect of the army and navy Rise of the Slejuk Turks in 1063 caused a need to rearm. 1068 Romanus Diogenes made emperor Set out prematurely against the Turks 1069 Successes

Battle of Manzikert, 1071: 

Battle of Manzikert, 1071 Alp Arslan; Twice beaten but learned Offered negotiations but was refused Romanus advanced in single cavalry line Turks retreated and attacked the flanks Killed many horses Riders still have bows but little skill Romans pursued and were ambushed Romanus went to far, ran out of water and it became dark

Battle of Manzikert, 1071: 

Battle of Manzikert, 1071 Romanus orders his forces to halt. Commander of his reserve refused to halt which separated his forces Turks enclosed the separated army Turks routed the Byzatines, killed or captured every man Heavy Cavlary can not cope with light cavalry

Battle of Manzikert, 1071: 

Battle of Manzikert, 1071 Cost the empire Asia Minor, recruiting area for the army and much wealth. Turks, steppe light cavalry, archers. One spare horse Move all over the battle field and avoid close combat To counter: Foot bowman near the cavalry Never let the army disperse

Ok the Stirrup: 

Ok the Stirrup 5th or 6th century from China Franks after the battle of Tours Early 8th Century in Western Europe Use his full force of the lance Stand up and gain height Poorer riders could perform well Crucial development in warfare

Constantinople Falls1453 A. D.: 

Constantinople Falls 1453 A. D. Mohammed II v Constantine XI 80,000 vs. 8,000 Mohammed also had 100 heavy cannons The Artillery Bombardment Began on 2 April 29 May Capture

Next Session Learning Objectives: 

Next Session Learning Objectives Know and trace the development of the Franks, with emphasis on the Battle of Tours Know and discuss Charlemagne and the beginning of feudalism, and its acceleration due to the pressure of Viking raids Comprehend and analyze the Battle of Hastings and its impact on the armored rider becoming the preeminent instrument of medieval warfare Know and trace the decline of mounted knights, cavalry and crossbow, and the emergence of the longbow, pike, and gunpowder Know and describe the influence of religious and technological factors on the Crusades, to include rudimentary mass communication and the crossbow