The Development of the Komnenian Army: 1081-1180 / / John Birkenmeier.

• Superior document: History of Warfare ; 5
• VerfasserIn: Birkenmeier, John
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden; , Boston : : BRILL,, 2002.
• Year of Publication: 2002
• Language: English
• Series: History of Warfare ; 5.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource.

The emperors of the Komnenian dynasty orchestrated the economic and military renewal of the Byzantine Empire. In 1081, Alexios I became emperor of a bankrupt and diminished empire. In 1180, Manuel I ruled the most powerful state in the eastern Mediterranean, capable of sending expeditions to Egypt, Hungary, Italy, and Palestine. This study examines how the Komnenian emperors restored the Byzantine state by building a professional army of mercenaries and Byzantine citizens. It examines the army's ethnic composition, tactics, equipment, and its financial support. Finally, it examines the army in battle. This is the only study of the Byzantine army during the privotal twelfth century. It provides an explanation for the complex Byzantine political and military problems of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, as well as another perspective on the European crusading movement.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements -- Preface -- List of Maps -- Maps -- Ch. 1 Textual Sources for 12th- and 13th-Century History 1 -- Ch. 2 Historical Overview of Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Byzantium 27 -- Ch. 3 The Campaigns of Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) 56 -- Ch. 4 The Campaigns of John II Komnenos (1118-43) 85 -- Ch. 5 The Campaigns of Manuel I Komnenos (1143-80) 100 -- Ch. 6 Supporting the Komnenian Army 139 -- Ch. 7 Komnenian Siege Warfare 182 -- Ch. 8 The Komnenian Army in Battle 206 -- Conclusion 231 -- App. 1 The Sieges of John II and Manuel I 237 -- App. 2: Glossary 239 -- App. 3 Chronology of the Komnenian Historians 243 -- Bibliography 245 -- Index 253.