Roman Heavy Cavalry (2)

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In the twilight of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th-6th centuries, the elite heavy armored cavalry known as cataphracts dominated the field armies, protected by various types of armor. Following the fall of the West, the Byzantine Empire thrived for nearly a millennium, with cavalry remaining a key component of its military, particularly the heavily armored regiments that served as the ultimate shock-force in battles. Muslim chroniclers depicted these formidable cataphracts as awe-inspiring adversaries, likening them to iron-covered warriors on seemingly legless horses. The heavy cavalry included regiments from the Tagmata, the central imperial force in Constantinople, such as the Scholai, Eskoubitoi, Athanatoi, and Ikanatoi, along with provincial units drawn from the Themata districts. By the 11th century, these provincial forces began to be supplanted by mercenaries as local governors gained semi-independence and often rebelled, contributing to the Empire's catastrophic defeat at Manzikert in 1071. This loss forced the diminished Empire to rely increasingly on mobile cavalry to counter various threats at its borders. This study, featuring stunning full-color illustrations, provides an engaging look into the fearsome heavy cavalry units that defended Rome's Eastern Empire.