Short description
Built on a belief system emphasising stealth, surprise, swift manoeuvre and force, the Byzantine infantryman was trained in survival, sword, spear and archery techniques and also land and sea combat. This book details the everyday experience of the infantryman from his recruitment, through his training regime to his encounters with his enemies.
Long description
The Byzantine Army was the closest the middle ages came to producing a military superpower. Built on a strong belief system emphasising stealth, surprise, swift manoeuvre and overwhelming force, the Byzantine infantryman was trained in survival, sword, spear and archery techniques and also land and sea combat and fighting within the foulkon 'turtle' formation. Timothy Dawson, an expert in the training and techniques of the Byzantine Army, details the everyday experience of the infantryman from his recruitment, through his twice-a-day training regime to his encounters with his enemies. Full-colour artwork richly illustrates their incredible warrior society and gives a real insight into how they lived.
Review
Timothy Dawson's Byzantine Infantryman: Eastern Roman Empire tells of the philosophy and tactics of the early Byzantine Army, surveying daily life of the warrior society. - The Bookwatch (December 2007)