Byzantine Weapons and Warfare

[egfroth]

It might be instructive to make a bunch of menavlioi in their theoretical incarnation as short heavy polearms (presumably in the form of a spear?) and take the field with them, and see what happens.

However, as they seem mainly to have been for use against cavalry (presumably at close quarters) it might be a bit difficult to arrange the horses . . .

I can envision their use - the enemy cavalry have been put into disarray to a greater or lesser degree by the kontarioi but at least some have broken through the infantry line. You'd probably be looking at either a number of individual cavalrymen, or one or more small cohesive groups. They would probably be moving slowly and surrounded by Roman hoplitai whose kontarioi, however, would be too long to be wielded effectively. The menavlatoi move in to surround and hack up these individuals or groups at close range.

My God! IT - COULD - WORK!!!!

If a large group of enemy cavalry broke through, I doubt that even menavlatoi would be enough to stop them.

Now, on another subject, who has a theory for that strange circular feature at belly level that seems to appear so often in illustrations of Roman military saints, such as at http://www.geocities.com/egfrothos/ThreeSaints3.html , part of http://www.geocities.com/egfrothos/Dovecote.html

Is this a gap in the armour which closes up when the cavalryman bends at the middle as he sits in the saddle? I've seen this theory advanced, but it seriously seems unlikely to me - would anyone in his right mind really allow such vital organs to be exposed, on the assumpion that he won't be unhorsed? And anyhow, look at pictures of cavalry in the saddle. They're almost standing up, with their legs vertical. Tends to blow that theory.

But then, what IS it? Anybody have any ideas?