Byzantine Weapons and Warfare

[egfroth]

hoplite14gr, the same style of oufit also appears on a Bulgarian Khan in the Skylitzes Chronicle of Madrid (see attachment).

I believe the peacock crown is based, not so much on the Troyes casket, as on the 10th century "Bamberg" silk tapestry mentioned by Peter above. It shows just such a crown being presented to an Emperor by a crowned woman. I've added an attachment - it's not very clear unfortunately. I have a better one somewhere, in colour - which shows the peacock details very well - but I can't lay my hands on it at the moment. You can see it at http://www.doaks.org/EconHist/EHB17.pdf but still in black and white. If and when I can find a colour copy I'll postit here.

The raven shield is based upon an 11th century ikon - see the top figure at http://www.geocities.com/egfroth1/IkonSoldiers.html

The earliest mention I've ever seen of the "Ikon Centurion = Varangian" is in the Osprey book "Byzantine Armies 866-1118", and from reading the Osprey text I believe this is where the idea originated. It's certainly not in "The Varangians of Byzantium".

I'm not all that fond of the illustrator's artistic style, but hey, that's just me.