Description
Book SynopsisThe emperors of the Komnenian dynasty orchestrated the economic and military renewal of the Byzantine Empire. In 1081, Alexios I became emperor of a bankrupt and diminished empire. In 1180, Manuel I ruled the most powerful state in the eastern Mediterranean, capable of sending expeditions to Egypt, Hungary, Italy, and Palestine. This study examines how the Komnenian emperors restored the Byzantine state by building a professional army of mercenaries and Byzantine citizens. It examines the army's ethnic composition, tactics, equipment, and its financial support. Finally, it examines the army in battle. This is the only study of the Byzantine army during the privotal twelfth century. It provides an explanation for the complex Byzantine political and military problems of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, as well as another perspective on the European crusading movement.
Trade Review"...unquestionably fills a major gap in the history of Byzantine military institutions…" Walter E. Kaegi, DeReMilitari, 2003.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface List of Maps Maps Ch. 1 Textual Sources for 12th- and 13th-Century History 1 Ch. 2 Historical Overview of Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Byzantium 27 Ch. 3 The Campaigns of Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) 56 Ch. 4 The Campaigns of John II Komnenos (1118-43) 85 Ch. 5 The Campaigns of Manuel I Komnenos (1143-80) 100 Ch. 6 Supporting the Komnenian Army 139 Ch. 7 Komnenian Siege Warfare 182 Ch. 8 The Komnenian Army in Battle 206 Conclusion 231 App. 1 The Sieges of John II and Manuel I 237 App. 2: Glossary 239 App. 3 Chronology of the Komnenian Historians 243 Bibliography 245 Index 253
