BYZANTINE IN FULL ARMOUR, 15th CENTURY

An extract from Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2
by Ian Heath

BYZANTINE IN FULL ARMOUR, 15th CENTURY, in ‘Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2’ by Ian Heath

57. BYZANTINE IN FULL ARMOUR, 15th CENTURY

This is an hypothetical reconstruction of one of the best-equipped Byzantine troops as they might have appeared in the 15th century. The body-armour, sword and shield are from the Brontocheion fresco in Mistra mentioned under figure 50, while the European-style arm and leg-harness are added on the supposition that by this late date even the ultra-conservative Byzantines are likely to have adopted them from their Italian neighbours in Greece and the Aegean. That plate leg-armour at least was worn is confirmed by Pseudo-Sphrantzes’ reference to Emperor Constantine’s body being identified in 1453 by the golden imperial eagles stamped on his greaves. Certainly such equipment more readily fits 15th century Byzantine references to ‘heavily-armed Romans’ with ‘helmets, breastplates and suits of armour’ than does the relatively light equipment of figures such as 50-53.

Next: 58. ALMUGHAVAR MERCENARY c. 1302, in Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2 by Ian Heath