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Illustrations on Folio 6r in a
Byzantine Manuscript of the Iliad, 10th century.
BNM Mss. Gr.Z.454.




BNM Mss. Gr.Z.454. Iliad (Venetus A) c.900-1000AD
Marcian Library in Venice



The cavalryman is referenced as figure 210 in The military technology of classical Islam by D Nicolle
210. Manuscript, Iliad, 10th century AD, Byzantine, Bib. Nat. Ms. Gr. 454, Paris.
Vol. 2 p.364,     Muslim troops themselves may well be portrayed in some Byzantine art of the period. On a minor lever stylized turbans are shown worn by lance-armed cavalrymen in long scale hauberks (Fig. 210). Elsewhere the archetypal "enemy" Goliath appears, most unusually, as a heavily armoured cavalryman (Fig. 209). In this latter source the Philistine cuirasses are slightly different from those of the Israelites, and could indicate lamellar. For the first representation of mid-10th century warriors along the Taurus frontier, one must return to the unique frescoes of the "Dovecote" church at Cavuṣin in Cappadocia. Here the Forty Martyrs are shown in a great variety of costumes and armours (Fig. 213A). some of which clearly show strong Muslim influence. In fact, this fresco probably portrays a spectrum of military styles from both sides of the frontier, and scale, leather, mail and perhaps felt armour can all be seen.

Back to the smaller image of Illustrations in Folio 6r of this Byzantine Manuscript of the Iliad, 10th century. BNM Mss. Gr.Z.454.



Fig. 213A and 213B, Fresco, A - Forty Martyrs, B - Donors, 963-969 AD, Byzantine, in situ, Dovecote Church, Çavuşin, Cappadocia.





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