Byzantine army
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The Byzantine army was the primary military body of the Byzantine armed forces, serving alongside the Byzantine navy. A direct continuation of the Eastern Roman army, shaping and developing itself on
Emperor Constantine I
A 10th–12th century ivory relief of Byzantine swordsmen – Berlin Bode museum.
Emperor John II Komnenos became renowned for his superb generalship and conducted many successful sieges. Under his leadership, the Byzantine army reconquered substantial territories from the Turks.
A heavy cavalryman (possibly a cataphract) lancing a Goth or Lombard, from the Isola Rizza dish
Excubitors
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The Excubitors were founded in c. 460 as an imperial guard-unit by the Roman emperor Leo I the Thracian. The 300-strong force, originally recruited from among the warlike mountain tribe of the Isauria
Tremissis of Emperor Justin I, the first commander of the Excubitors to rise to the throne.
Lead seal of the Excubitor Basil (7th century)
Solidus of Emperor Michael II and his son, Theophilos.
Fighting between Byzantines and Arabs Chronikon of Ioannis Skylitzes, end of 13th century