Byzantine Weapons and Warfare

[Theodosius the Great]

Hi Steven,

Thank you for posting the photo and the article. Before I couldn't tell how the plates were oriented (I guessed they were downward but now see otherwise). Also, I see now why you interpreted the shoulder "pteruges" as armor plates (as you have for your impression.)

As for the article, yes, Travis L. Clarke sent me the same link weeks ago. A very enlightening read. For such a relatively late period I'm surprised that we moderns are still relying on guesswork as to authentic methods of construction. I take it no lacing patterns have survived with any plates.

Thank you, again, Steven. Have you already posted photos of your impression on RAT ? If so, it's gone under my rader. Is your impression that of a cataphract ?

~Theo

Theodosius, I've temporarily put a better pic of Basil II in his gilded armour at http://www.angelfire.com/empire/egfroth/Basil_II.JPG . It won't be up for long, so get it while you can. If it is lamellar, it's an unusual type. You can see more about it in ‘Kremasmata, kabadion, klibanion: some aspects of middle Byzantine military equipment reconsidered’ by Dr Tim Dawson. Though his diagram shows two vertical laces and one horizontal, in the original picture they all just look like dots to me.