Creation of the Medieval Roman Army

The Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the evolution of the Roman Army continues with the first episode of the series on the Army of the Eastern Roman Empire - the Byzantine Empire. In this episode, we'll mainly focus on how the Roman army was transformed into the medieval Byzantine army and talk about the armies of Justinian and Belisarius described by Procopius.

#Documentary #Byzantines #Romans

[mazarajr]

Byzantines when they see something helpful in their enemies:
''Write that down, write that down!''

[TEO]

Barbarians: can we join your army
Byzantines: tell me a Reason
Barbarians: we like the color purple
Byzantines: you're in

[rapter]

Byzantine enemy: "My tactics."
The Byzantines: "OUR tactics."

[DarkLordFromTheSecondAge]

Procopius was like: *THE FUTURE IS NOW, OLD MEN.*

[CatastrophicDisease]

I will say, the armor and outfits of the Byzantines and Sassanids in the 500s/600s is one of the coolest-looking military aesthetics in history. It's got the elegance of ancient and classical times but also the protection and sturdiness of the later middle ages.

[al-muwaffaq]

Omg we have lived long enough to witness a Byzantine Army and Tactics video!

[eurasiaacaci.-]

“Your tactics and weapons will be assimilated”

- Romans/Byzantine Empire probably

[Mrkabrat]

Having a wallet as a sponsor for the byzantine army episode is oddly fitting

[te]

I love watching the Eastern Roman military and Eastern Roman Empire.

[Andrew-mphu]

I think I've listened to three audiobooks now, on the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. I always feel a sense of tragedy whenever I go down the rabbit hole. For an empire to have withheld for so long, against so many existential calamities, it truly is remarkable. So impactful that Tolkien used it as a baseline in developing the story of Gondor in the Middle Earth universe.

[abcdef]

Byzantine military: "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome".

[arissmarnakis]

Thank you for making the byzantine empire known to the world. Although in Greece we studied it extensively, I feel that other nations haven't grasped certain aspects of this part of medieval history and its a shame. And thank you for always being scientifically accurate. Kings and Generals FTW!

[Gabsboy]

Change in military doctrine (esp. the shift in emphasis from the heavy infantry legions to the armored cavalry archers) didn't make the Eastern Roman Empire less Roman, anymore than the British Army's shift from redcoats to the khaki uniform didn't make it less British.

[kicokyaw]

I love how King's of Generals subtly and intelligently claps back at people who believe that the Imperial Legions were the ultimate fighting force and all changes made to it, made the Roman army worse. When in fact it was the smarter move
I really have been waiting for this one! Please do

[ericponce]

Great video. The Battle of Yarmouk in 636 was a devastating defeat for Eastern Rome. The wealthiest provinces were lost forever. But, there was a silver lining to that defeat. The Theme System was developed in the Eastern Roman Empire. This allowed the empire to have an army that was more Roman (sharing a common language which was Greek) and Christian. The hiring of large numbers of mercenaries was expensive and their loyalty was always questioned. (Eastern Rome continued to have units of foreigners in their armies, but in a smaller number as compared during the time of Justinian.)

[angquangtruong]

I bring my PURPLE SILK as a tribute FOR THE KING AND

[richraichu]

Oh my god a Byzantine video from Kings and Generals? The Byzantophile in me is pleased

[YasserMaghribi]

We must recognize the fact that the video makers of Kings & Generals master the art of putting epic music but in a subtle way to make the video 10 times more interesting and memorable

[JohnnyElRed]

Those are more horse archers than expected.
But one has to wonder, though. Given the influence of nomadic tribes of horse archers in Europe during late antiquity, why it didn't became an stablished practice during the early Middle Ages at least? In comparison with the front charge lance wielding knight that stablished later, I mean.

[connorgolden]

I see Eastern Roman videos and I give it a like.