Birth of the Byzantine Army 476–641 CE

The Birth of the Byzantine Army, 476–641 CE by Philippe Richardot, presents a concise examination of the formative period of the Byzantine military apparatus following the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire. Published by Helion, the third in their new ‘A Time of Knights 476CE–1453CE series’, volume 1 asks a pertinent question; still Late Roman? The volume continues the publisher’s commitment to producing accessible studies that nevertheless maintain analytical rigour. This is volume 1 of a what I hope will be a long series.

The author traces the evolution of the Eastern Roman army during a period marked by profound political and social upheaval. Rather than engaging in perhaps contentious academic debates (which are more than likely way over my head), the work offers a lucid and well-supported narrative of how the Eastern Empire constructed a distinct military identity. This process is contextualised within the broader challenges posed by external threats, including my two favourite ‘enemies of Rome’ the Goths and Sassanid Persians as well as interminable and recurrent internal crises.

Particularly informative are the sections devoted to the development of the comitatenses and limitanei, which are presented with clarity. The explanations are unambiguous, and provided me with a better understanding of these key military formations.

The book is further enhanced by a variety of illustrations, including detailed colour plates (each with an attached commentary), map and diagrams. These visual aids contributed to my understanding of the material culture and organisational structure of the Byzantine army, and will be of particular interest to both scholars, war gamers and enthusiasts of military history.

In sum, Birth of the Byzantine Army, 476–641 CE serves as an effective introduction to a transitional era often overlooked between the ‘Late Roman’ and ‘Byzantine’ periods. The work succeeds in providing a concise, digestible overview of the army’s transformation, making it a valuable addition to Byzantine military studies.



ISBN: 978-1-804518-28-1 291 pages. Paperback

Late Roman Campaign. Massive Battle Outside Praesidium Gehenae; Emperor Digito Feared Among the Dead.

This rather hot and claggy Saturday the Burrowers assembled to play what was being billed as the 'fight of the century', as the army of Paulinus Germanicus met the smaller and somewhat battered army of the (self-proclaimed) Emperor Digito, all part of the Late Roman campaign I've been running since last October. 

To set the scene, last time you may recall that Digito and his Ostrogoth allies had suffered a minor'ish defeat at the hands of Johannes Rufus the Butcher (or is that the Butchest?) north east of the capital of the province Praesidium Gehenae. Digito withdrew on his capital to counter the threat from Paulinus' army that had been marching up the roads from Maluscastra. Johannes' army was slow to pursue as the surviving Ostrogoths under their leader Jazzeric were doing a good job of laying waste to the countryside around the towns of Rubrumraeda and Aquanegra. They were also trying to locate and free the elderly, infirm and child prisoners Johannes' army dragged away from the sacked town of Tabularasa, home of the previously peaceful Ostrogoths. The Emperor had sent a message for assistance to his ally Stupiddus Soddus, Comes of Asienus Superior, and this army had at once begun a forced march to rendezvous with the Emperor at Praesidium Gehenae. [Unbeknown to  everyone, the bridge linking both banks of the River Asienus south west of the capital was destroyed, and had been since about turn two of the campaign. Nobody asked, but Jazzeric's father King Miseries Psychosis had ordered several key bridges to be destroyed before his untimely demise.  Not this one though, as this was just down to poor m maintenance, bad luck and timing]. This was to have a significant impact on the battle.

The Triumvirate

Paul (Paulinus), supported by Conrad and Neil were facing Richard (Digito) with assistance from Nigel (Stuppidus Soddus in the campaign) and me. Paul's army was approx 1,400 points against Richard's 1,000, but Nigel's army of around 1,000 points was also en route to support him should he arrive in time. We used the excellent Sword and Spear rules. With the exception of eight legions and a couple of units of cavalry belonging to Richard, the figures and terrain are all mine.

Reporters were embedded within both armies so I am sure we will read more about this battle and the consequences of the outcome on the province in the pages of the Asienus Gladiator in due course, but for now I give you lots of pictures and some details on how the battle panned out for  both sides.

The Emperor Digito watches as his bolt shooters start peppering the enemy.

Digito's left flank securely resting on the gates of Praesidium Gehenae.

Digito's centre was held by several large units of Foederati warriors. 

Paulinus' centre. 

I commanded Digito's right wing; all his cavalry in fact.

Digito's army stands firm as Paulinus' troops can be seen advancing in the distance.

The lines get ever closer.

Paulinus' right wing under Conrad advanced slowly and deliberately towards the enemy.

Paulinus' auxiliary archers managed to drive off one of Digito's bolt shooter units. The Emperor had been encouraging them when he stopped several arrows and tumbled from his chariot dead before he hit the ground. Disaster for his army but most units survived the discipline test caused by his demise and the battle raged on. 

It was starting to get messy in the centre.

On our right, Paulinus' cavalry was overwhelmed by superior numbers and troops and Neil's captain  was killed in action, leaving that wing leaderless.

Conrad's cataphractoi smashed into Richard's line.

Richard's left wing is in trouble.

Several fierce combats took place all along the line. Paulinus' superior numbers eventually began to tell.

Paulinus had plenty of reserves available to tackle Richard's victorious cavalry on the wing.

My cavalry on the Emperors right swung round to take on the enemy centre.

Richard's centre is beginning to crumble.

.....but they were not giving up easily.

Wagons loaded with the Emperor's treasures loaded and ready to leave.

Conrad's cataphractoi were slowly gaining the upper hand.

Some of my cavalry swept in on the troops guarding Paulinus' centre, and several legions were ridden down.

So end all (alleged) traitors.

Digito's centre then very quickly collapsed and my cavalry were spent. The remains of Digito's army either fled, were cut down or changed sides. This was a significant victory for Paulinus and his allies and with Digito now out of the frame it would appear that for the time being at least status quo has returned to the province. [Ok, there are Huns and Visigoths running riot in the west of the province but they would be unlikely to make any further progress now that the Romans had stopped fighting each other, for the time being]. Nigel's army had been unable to join Richard. Had he done so then I suspect the outcome would have been very different. As it is, Nigel and his men pulled back to their base, denying any intention of joining in the battle.

As ever these rules gave us a terrific game. Despite it being a massive game we got through lots of moves and by 3:30 we had a winner!

The result means that we can now pause the campaign and move on to other stuff. Asienus is quiet again, for the moment.......

Back to the Late Roman Campaign with a Bang!

Digito's army on the left, With Esme providing guidance.

After a suitable break to ensure among other things that we didn't get sick of too many ancient games and also to give the best chance that many of us would forget the rules, there was a battle to fight, between the Emperor Digito, supported by Jazzeric of the Ostrogoths, against Rufus Johannes' loyal (to whom?) army which was marching on the capital of Praesidium Gehenae from the north east while Paulinus Germanicus marched towards the capital from Maluscastra and the south east. Digito had been well placed to intercept isolated Rufus' army so attacked, supported by his allies the Ostrogoths from the still smouldering ruins of Tabularasa.

Richard (as the 'Emperor' Digito) was joined by Dave (Jazzeric), Shaun and Nigel, and they faced John (Rufus), Paul, Conrad and Neil. Neil also did must of the rules bashing while I adjudicated where appropriate. We were using the excellent Sword and Spear rules. Richard drew his army from the Foederati Roman list while John’s was from the Late Roman one. I don’t normally do army lists but the revenues each player receives each month translates into points for the army.

Both armies were very large so I scaled them down by a third to fit on the table (and even I don't have THAT many legions in my collection!) Both armies deployed fairly traditionally, infantry in the centre and cavalry on the wings. Digito ordered Jazzeric to conduct a flank march with his Ostrogoths so these troops, one third of his army, were not immediately available.

Digito and his cohorts......

John went straight for the jugular and the entire army advanced rapidly towards the enemy. Paul's command raced ahead, supported on its left flank by Neil's cavalry. John's command advanced to maintain contact with Paul in the centre and Conrad's right wing cavalry did likewise, keeping station on John's right flank. By sharp contrast few of Richard’s units even managed to activate this turn, which meant the army was in danger of being crowded off the table. As usual I hope the following photographs (hopefully in something resembling the right order) and narrative will give a good account of how the battle developed. Read on.....

Johhannes in the centre flanked by his lieutenants for the day.

This is a bit out of sequence but basically John and Paul stormed forwards at top speed towards Digito's army.

More rapid advancing by Johhannes' army.

The Ostrogoths never really made a mark on the game. They were no more than a nuisance to the enemy and mop real threat.

Conrad commanded Johhannes' right wing and was able to turn to face the arrival of the Ostrogoths.

Digito's Federate crash into the enemy legions.

Digito's cataphractoi failed to break this enemy legion and broke!

Johannes' right wing under Conrad met little resistance as the enemy had refused their left.

Facing Johannes' left wing Richard's cavalry advanced round the ruined villa.

Johannes' right wing again.

Dave as Jazzeric had 10 units in his command (600 points in the rules).  He tested for their arrival, and not only were they a turn late but only two units made it immediately onto the the table. Of the other eight, they were to arrive in dribs and drabs over the following two or three turns. Some never arrived at all!

The following pictures give an idea of how the game played out, but they may not be quite in the correct order. 

The Ostrogoths hit one of Johannes' legions in the flank only to be in turn hit in their flank!  

A dice roll we can all dream about when its only the highest four dice that count!

The dice roll of nightmares when trying to activate units! Usually it needs a 4+ to activate.

The end is nigh!

This rather large and somewhat confusing game ended with a clear victory for Johannes and the second defeat (regardless of spin) in a row for Digito. How long can he hang open to power? When will his legions have had enough? It was they who proclaimed him emperor so has he met their expectations? [I doubt it somehow]. Something to consider for the campaign.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable game to oversee and the outcome will translate into a nice bit of narrative for the next edition of the Asienus Gladiator. Basically Digito's right wing collapsed under the pressure from Neil's cavalry and the centre command had also broken and was forced to leave the field, and it all happened very quickly. The poor Ostrogoths were a bit of a damp squib but that's just down to some unfortunate dice scores when determining if and when they arrived.

It was a particularly sanguine battle, with both armies loosing over one third of their forces (when translated back into points). The Ostrogoths were the worst off with almost half of their army destroyed.  Richard's army retreated back towards the capitol of Praesidium Gehenna, to regroup and then face the forces of Paulinus Germanicus approaching from the south. John's army took possession of the field and the enemy camp (gaining some loot points for the coffers was very helpful).

Next time these figures are on the table in a couple of week's time I am hoping to stage the Digito versus Paulinus confrontation.