Byzantine Infantry, 11th C.

Stratēlatai Tagma & Varangian Gaurd Tagma, re-created military units

The Stratēlatai were a Tagma (Brigade) formed by Emperor John Tzimisces in the late 10th C, after the military saint Theodore Stratelata ... feast day June 8... divinely intervened to win a battle for him.

The Stratēlatai are members of a living history society set in a resplendent era of the longest enduring empire the human race has ever known – the (Eastern) Roman Empire during the 10^th to 12^th Centuries, a period which was for many Europeans the "Dark Ages"

The new Stratēlatai Tagma  recreates this historic military unit.   It was a professional regular formation created in the 10^th C. of a mix of subjects of the Empire (the less-civilized rougher subjects, mostly), and individuals from neighboring warlike groups such as the Rus and Bulgars, who serve for pay and citizenship.  Most of us portray Rus or other Slav individuals, or members of another Tagma, the Varangian Guard.  This allows us to explore some of the roots of the Janissaries, another impression several of us do. (Since the Turks adopted mostly Byzantine traditions for that unit of Slave soldiers.) 

Some of us work toward presenting an early Rus/Polish impression, and this is a better-documented route toward a poorly documented historical area.

This unit trains with the techniques and drill that created and sustained the empire across two thousand years, and which form the basis for all modern military training.  In addition to demonstrating drill, Tagma soldiers cross swords with other societies in battle enactments. We are based in VA/DC/MD USA.

Supporting these activities is (potentially) a wide variety of arts, crafts and activities – cookery, metalwork, woodwork, textile and leather crafts, music, dance, and more. For more on the everyday life of Romania (as its people had called it for over a thousand years) visit www.levantia.com.au.

 A file of a foulhon (or phalanx), consists of an 8 man Dekarkhlon commanded by the corporal or Dekarklos.  Our company is a Kentarkhion commanded by the Kenterion. We hope to have a group with all the key elements of a 11th C eastern Roman military formation.  At least 2 heavy infantry hoplites, a light infantry pikeman, a archer, a peltstat (slinger and javelineer),  menavlatoi , and cavalryman.  These are described here.

For an exploratory event, Rick put together this Byzantine impression of an unarmored skutatos of about 1050-1110, at Roman Days, Fairfax VA Sept 2008

I had a buddy with me at RD....

Although our gear was a work in progress, A few of us attended a mostly Viking event Apr 2009, two heavy infantry skutatoi backed by an archer.

An archer, and/or a Varangian axe-man

In 2010 We appeared at MTT and Roman Days

The skoutarion is a kite shield similar to those use by the Normans at the Battle of Hastings (1066) - (they possibly copied the style from the Byzantines, whom they encountered directly in Sicily and indirectly though the "vikings" and Rus).   It is used with the kontarion with tension from the shoulder strap, the elbow in the crook of the curved shield, and forearm in a strap.  Other straps allow the shield to be used as a targe with sword-work.

  This shield is carried by an 11th C. image of the military saint Theadore Stratēlatos, to whom this unit was dedicated.  It is possibly the Tagma's shield design (unit shields were uniform), although we can't know, this is at least as good a guess as any.  It features a chevron and a stylized plant design, which is possibly a thistle.  We adopted a variation of this theme,

_________

 (11/08) We supporting our Byzantine Regiment friends in NYC, who were doing a "1453 eve of the fall" (of Constantinople) music video for Phoenix Reign, a metal band.  We were actually the Janissaries, seen in the background.

Imperial adjustments

Byzantine Military Saints, 11-12thC

We are flexible, and may expand our presentation in the future to the Justinian (6^th C.) period, and 1456. We are also game for presenting 11^th C. Rus and Poles, which have similar kit, and many soldiers of the historic Tagma would certainly be Rus or other Slav anyway. 

For information or to inquire about joining our project, please contact

-Rick,  Arlington VA USA 703  528   5618 (email     SOM at KISMETA dot COM )

Byzantine and Rus Images

Menavlion

Byzantine Infantry Types

Other groups :

• The Hetaireia Palatiou, or Palace Company, presents an elite palace guard unit.  A complementary side presents civilian court life of Constantinople; ceremonies and banquets and hunting parties, while clad in the splendid regalia which so overawed visitors from the west.  (Based in England )
• The New Varangian Guard presents the most famous Tagma of them all, the axe wielding mercenaries and later day Praetorians, composed of fierce Norsemen, Anglo Saxons, and Slavs.  (Based in Australia here)  
•     See the NVG in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvE-GmHR_bE
• The Byzantine Regiment presents court and military life on the eve of the fall of Constantinople , 1456. (Based in NYC)
• Other groups in the US function in this period, or the "Late Roman" period of AD 300-700.  
• Groups in Poland, the Ukraine and Russia portray 10-11th C. Slavonic warriors, e.g. http://www.dab-pomorza.art.pl/galery08_en.html
• Markland  primarily portrays 11th C, Normans, Vikings, and Anglo Saxons but members go further afield (USA)
• SCA has various contingents of relevance. (USA)  
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• Other Links
•     http://www.geocities.com/egfrothos/ArmsandArmour.html
•     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCAbyzantine/