The functioning of cataphracts in the tenth century Byzantine army.
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2024-03-14
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en
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This thesis treats cataphracts during a period of Byzantine expansion and reconquest. The
objective is to answer how the cataphracts functioned in the Byzantine army in the tenth
century. The Tactica of Leo VI, the Sylloge Tacticorum, the Praecepta Militaria, the Tactica of
Nikephoros Ouranos and the History were used as the primary contemporary source material. Chapter one established that there were far more cataphracts in the Byzantine army than what historians thought possible. Chapter two showed that the cataphracts had multiple military roles that played into their strengths. Chapter three discussed how cataphract units were created. The tagmata and cataphracts belonged to the aristocracy, affluent landholders and (sons of) officers in the upper echelons of Byzantine society. The remainder were less wealthy or might be high-ranking deserters or hostages. Training and drilling took place in winter and times of military inactivity. There were several training phases with an increase in complexity at each step.
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Faculteit der Letteren