Battle Tactics
The warfare tactics of the Byzantines is a lot more complex than Roman military tactics such as the wedge and the tortoise. The Byzantines was the first empire to have combine arms in their warfare strategy. Which means that they had groups specially train different to help on another. Such as an archers helping people on horseback. The Byzantines power came form it's cavalry. During the beginning of the empire, the soldiers were still being train to fight in close quarters. During the end of the empire, archery was being used practiced more.
Infantry Organization.
There were usually about one thousand soldiers fighting in a war at once. Unlike the Roman, there were only 2 main groups of people: the skutatoi and toxotai. Calvary was mostly used during war, but foot soldiers were used time to time. Infantry soldiers usually started off the war and then the cavalry will finish it.
Skutatoi: Of the 1000 people, Skutatoi would make up at least 650 of them. They were spearman. Skutatoi were also heavily armored soldiers with a big triangular shields. Their roles were to do anything necessary. They would be a protective wall at times. They will also kill or protect against the enemies cavalry if they had any. Skutatoi would also push up against the enemy and fight them in close combat. Skutatoi were very needed in times of war. Skutatoi form the first 4 lines of 15-20 soldiers who touch shoulder tot shoulder. Followed by 3 lines of toxotai. Their Offences and Differences tactics were much like the Romans.
Toxotai: Of the 1000 people, Toxotai would make up only around 350 of them. These people were lined up the same way Skutatoi were. They were archers. Toxotai were very skilled in the art of archery. Theses soldiers didn't wear much armor. They only had a small axe to protect them if they were ever caught in a close range fight.
There were usually about one thousand soldiers fighting in a war at once. Unlike the Roman, there were only 2 main groups of people: the skutatoi and toxotai. Calvary was mostly used during war, but foot soldiers were used time to time. Infantry soldiers usually started off the war and then the cavalry will finish it.
Skutatoi: Of the 1000 people, Skutatoi would make up at least 650 of them. They were spearman. Skutatoi were also heavily armored soldiers with a big triangular shields. Their roles were to do anything necessary. They would be a protective wall at times. They will also kill or protect against the enemies cavalry if they had any. Skutatoi would also push up against the enemy and fight them in close combat. Skutatoi were very needed in times of war. Skutatoi form the first 4 lines of 15-20 soldiers who touch shoulder tot shoulder. Followed by 3 lines of toxotai. Their Offences and Differences tactics were much like the Romans.
Toxotai: Of the 1000 people, Toxotai would make up only around 350 of them. These people were lined up the same way Skutatoi were. They were archers. Toxotai were very skilled in the art of archery. Theses soldiers didn't wear much armor. They only had a small axe to protect them if they were ever caught in a close range fight.
Cavalry Types
The horses of Byzantine were train and very skilled; they were able to do very complex maneuvers. There were two different types of cavalry: kataphraktoi and light cavalry. Byzantines didn't use horses to charge directly into the enemy. They would flank around to the back or have envelopment tactics with the cavalry. Only the Numerus would have been organized and charge the enemy.
Kataphraktoi: These horses were heavily armored and rode by horse archers and lancers. The horses were covered in chain armor. Greaves protected their legs and gauntlets protected their hands. A dagger and battle axe would be strapped to their saddles to protection the person riding the horse.
Light cavalry: These horses would be used primary for scouting or training other horses. the Byzantines would also uses these horses to catch enemy's light cavalry. Light cavalry were specialty trained to be ether archers or horse slingers.
The horses of Byzantine were train and very skilled; they were able to do very complex maneuvers. There were two different types of cavalry: kataphraktoi and light cavalry. Byzantines didn't use horses to charge directly into the enemy. They would flank around to the back or have envelopment tactics with the cavalry. Only the Numerus would have been organized and charge the enemy.
Kataphraktoi: These horses were heavily armored and rode by horse archers and lancers. The horses were covered in chain armor. Greaves protected their legs and gauntlets protected their hands. A dagger and battle axe would be strapped to their saddles to protection the person riding the horse.
Light cavalry: These horses would be used primary for scouting or training other horses. the Byzantines would also uses these horses to catch enemy's light cavalry. Light cavalry were specialty trained to be ether archers or horse slingers.
Cavalry Organization
Cavalry main unit were the Numerus which were like the Kataphraktoi. The Numberus were groups of 300-400 men that had army like ranks such as colonel or lieutenants, and the highest rank would lead the group. Numberus were formed into lines of 8 with 10 cavalry deep. The cavalry organization was difficult to get used to, but having a group of cavalry like this would prove to have physical and psychological advantages. The only real tactic they were able to pull-off upon was the wedge.
First, Second. Third Ranks: The first rank of cavalry would have 25 men, followed by the second rank which had 30 men, then the third rank having 35 men. The cavalry would be armed with both bows and lances. They would fire arrows at the enemy around 100 to 200 meters away, and they would then charge with their lances.
Forth, Fifth, etc. Ranks: The forth rank of Numerus would have 40 men, followed by the fifth rank that had 50 men, and then 60 men and so on based on their ranks. After the first, second, and third ranked Numerus were done firing and charged; the forth, fifth, ect. ranks would charged with them.
Cavalry main unit were the Numerus which were like the Kataphraktoi. The Numberus were groups of 300-400 men that had army like ranks such as colonel or lieutenants, and the highest rank would lead the group. Numberus were formed into lines of 8 with 10 cavalry deep. The cavalry organization was difficult to get used to, but having a group of cavalry like this would prove to have physical and psychological advantages. The only real tactic they were able to pull-off upon was the wedge.
First, Second. Third Ranks: The first rank of cavalry would have 25 men, followed by the second rank which had 30 men, then the third rank having 35 men. The cavalry would be armed with both bows and lances. They would fire arrows at the enemy around 100 to 200 meters away, and they would then charge with their lances.
Forth, Fifth, etc. Ranks: The forth rank of Numerus would have 40 men, followed by the fifth rank that had 50 men, and then 60 men and so on based on their ranks. After the first, second, and third ranked Numerus were done firing and charged; the forth, fifth, ect. ranks would charged with them.