THEMATIC BYZANTINES

650 - 963

 

Army Type

No

Cost

Description

Reg Cv O, Pro, H, Shk [L]

1

26

C-in-C (BIF 0-1; Demor. -4)

Reg Cv O, Pro, Η, Msl/Shk [L][Bow]

1-2

15

Kentarchia bodyguard [1]

Reg Cv Ο, (Pro), H, Shk [L]

2

23 (26)

Sub General (BIF 0-1; Demor. –3)

Reg Cv Ο, (Pro), (H), Msl/Shk [L][Bow]

1-2 @

10 (14)

Kentarchia bodyguard

Reg Cv Ο, (Pro), H, Shk [L]

1

16 (20)

Byzantine Ally General (BIF 0-1; Demor. -3)

Reg Cv Ο, (Pro), (H), Msl/Shk [L][Bow]

1-2

8 (10)

Kentarchia bodyguard

 

 

 

 

Mounted

 

 

 

Reg Cv Ο, Pro, H, Shk [L]

8

13

Tagmatic Kavallarioi

Reg Cv Ο, Pro, Shk/Msl [Bow]

8

14

Rear rank

Reg Cv Ο (I), (Η), (U), Shk [L]

8

5 - 10

Thematic Kavallarioi (- half  H) [2]

Reg Cv Ο (I), (U), Msl/Shk [Bow]

8

5 - 10

Rear rank [3]

Reg Cv Ι, (Η), (U), Shk [L]

8

5 - 10

Thematic Kavall. -extra theme [4] (- half  H)

Reg Cv Ι, (U), Msl/Shk [Bow]

8

5 -10

Rear rank

Reg LH O, (Pro), Shk [L]

24

7

Thematic Borderers [5]

    or Reg LH O, (Pro),Shk/Msl [Jav]

Any

8

                      

Reg LH O, Msl/Shk [Bow]

6

8

Trapezitoi – long-range scouts

Irr Kn O (S), F, Shk

4

12

Georgians [6]

Irr Cv O, Msl/Shk [Bow][L]

4

10

Khurramiyya rebels [7]

Irr LH Ο, (Pro), Msl/Shk [Bow]

8

8 (12)

Alans or Bulgars

 

 

 

 

Foot

 

 

 

Reg Sp Ι (Ο), U, (H), Shk

12

4 (5)

Kontaratoi (- half H)

Reg Sp O, H, Shk

8

7

Mercenary Kontaratoi (Kurdish, Armenian)

Reg Sk O (Ι), U, Msl [Bow]

20

2 (1)

Toxotai (supp. Kontaratoi)

     or Reg Bw O, U, Msl [Bow]

12

4

Toxotai

Reg Sk Ο, U, Msl [Bow][Sling]

20

2 (1)

Hyperetai missilemen

Irr Plt O, Shk/Msl [Jav]

8

5

Armenians

Irr Plt O, Shk/Msl [Jav]

8

5

Slavs

 

 

 

 

slav allies

 

 

 

Irr Plt S, H, Shk/Msl [Jav]

1

14

Slav Ally (unreliable; BIF 0-1; Demor. -3)

Irr Plt O, Shk/Msl [Jav]

36

5

Slav warriors

Irr Sk O, Msl [Bow] or Msl/Shk [Jav]

16

3 or 5

Skirmishers

 

 

 

 

khazar allies

 

 

 

Reg Cv S, Shk/Msl [L][Bow] (Dmt) [8]

1

30

Khazar Ally (reliable; BIF 1-2; Demor. -3)

Reg Sp O, H, Shk (Mtd)

2

10 (12)

Khazar Guard

Reg Cv O, Shk/Msl [L][Bow]

2

11

Khan’s Retinue

Irr Cv O, Shk/Msl [L][Bow]

4

10

Nobles

Irr LH O, Msl [Bow]

6

6

Skirmishers

Irr Sk O, Msl [Bow]

4

3

Archers

Irr Sp I, U, Shk

6

2

Levy

 

 

 

 

various

 

 

 

Siege Engines

2

20

Only used in sieges

Reg WE, Medium, F

2

22

Only to protect baggage

 

 

 

 

camp - Baggage

 

 

 

Fortified with ditch and palisade

2 per Command

 

 

 



[1] Kentarchiai are private retinues and have to accompany the commander at all times.

[2] Up to half of any Command may have horse armour. Units with mixed protection may use the higher defence factor when shot at,  but with –1 for the total, as if Fast.

[3] Generally, in mixed elements the front rank determines the behaviour and main role of the unit. Rear rank Cv is not mandatory as rear rank, but their role of  Msl/Shk would make them less effective if used aggressively. They can support lancer cavalry.

[4] Extra-theme forces denote thematic troops transferred from their themes to complement field armies on major expeditions including tagmatic forces. Invariably these troops were unhappy, especially if the campaign was longer than anticipated. If no tagmatics are present, they represent second rate troops of the theme. At least half must be U.

[5] Thematic borderers and Trapezitoi formed part of the fluid defence network that alerted the centre of large enemy raids or dealt with smaller ones themselves. Up to a third of each category can be fielded as Pro.

[6] Georgians can be classed S when fighting Muslims. Can be fielded only in the East.

[7] Can be fielded only in the East against the Abbasid Arabs.

[8] May dismount as Reg Plt S, H, Shk/Msl [Bow]

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