Elite and Levy Units of the Eastern Roman Army

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  • čas přidán 18. 08. 2021
  • The first 100 people to go to www.blinkist.com/kingsandgene... are going to get unlimited access for 1 week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership!
    The Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the evolution of the Roman Army continues with the third episode of the series on the Army of the Eastern Roman Empire - the Byzantine Empire. In this episode, we'll talk about the Elite Tagmata units and feudal levy Thematic troops, as we describe the recruitment, tactics, weaponry, armor, and structure of these troops.
    Armies and Tactics: • Armies and Tactics
    Late Roman Army: • Military Reforms of Di...
    Roman Imperial Cavalry: • Roman Imperial Cavalry...
    Roman Army during the Crisis of the Third Century: • Roman Army during the ...
    Creation of the Medieval Roman Army: • Creation of the Mediev...
    Strategikon - Army Manual of the Byzantine Army: • Strategikon - Army Man...
    Justinian's Restoration: • Battle of Dara 530 Rom...
    Support us on Patreon: / kingsandgenerals or Paypal: paypal.me/kingsandgenerals or by joining the youtube membership: / @kingsandgenerals We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: docs.google.com/document/d/1o...
    The video was made by Arb Paninken bit.ly/2Ow3oC8, while the script was developed by Dimitris Koutsoumis. This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives )
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    Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
    #Documentary #Byzantines #Romans

Komentáře • 842

  • @KingsandGenerals
    @KingsandGenerals  Před 2 lety +657

    Sharing is caring, I promise. Think about your fellow beings. Maybe one of them ends up finding a portal and drops into the XI century, how will they survive without this knowledge?

    • @KiranSingh-zr8jr
      @KiranSingh-zr8jr Před 2 lety +6

      True. Going to share it

    • @Mergor_X
      @Mergor_X Před 2 lety +15

      Finding a portal? Travelling into the future? Sounds like the history channel

    • @kazimierzwojtynski
      @kazimierzwojtynski Před 2 lety +4

      You convinced me

    • @perikleshistory
      @perikleshistory Před 2 lety +5

      I wish that would happen to me

    • @RR-ut3xl
      @RR-ut3xl Před 2 lety +11

      We'd all like to think we'd be Kings of the world with today's knowledge but more than likely we'd be executed for being a crazy heathen 🤣

  • @SultanOfAwesomeness
    @SultanOfAwesomeness Před 2 lety +1372

    The ERE really does have one of the most straightforward yet complicated unit structures that I’ve ever studied. So many different types of units with so many similar duties. It’s...quite byzantine, really.

    • @GanjaMasterBlaster
      @GanjaMasterBlaster Před 2 lety +144

      Indeed
      Also having to buy their own equipment reminds me of the pre marian roman army

    • @howdoyouturnthison7827
      @howdoyouturnthison7827 Před 2 lety +53

      It was a real empire.

    • @georgedoe4827
      @georgedoe4827 Před 2 lety +88

      Actually its quite Greek not byzantine. Most of these complications are a direct result of simple messing up or contradicting interests... There was no Byzantium. It was just the Greek Era of the Roman Empire. "Byzantines" behaved and acted more like ancient and modern Greeks than like Romans

    • @catalyst772
      @catalyst772 Před 2 lety +45

      Ah yes the greeks, famous for having a senate

    • @Ajaylix_history_shorts
      @Ajaylix_history_shorts Před 2 lety +23

      Its similar to the earlier Roman formations yet it looks like the mongol decimal system i think

  • @johng7003
    @johng7003 Před 2 lety +759

    I really love the fact that Byzantine or more accurately the Eastern Roman Empire becomes slowly but surely more admired by people and gets them interested in learning about it. Byzantine armours especially of the the skoutatoi and the cataphracts remains some of my favorite European armors. Digenes Akritas story should also become more famous. He is basically a more medieval greek version of Heracles

    • @junior1497
      @junior1497 Před 2 lety +14

      I first learned about them thanks to Medieval Total War 1

    • @Pavlos_Charalambous
      @Pavlos_Charalambous Před 2 lety +23

      I love the where death himself being jealous of digenis challenges him in duel at " the fields of marble" Greek medieval poetry some times gets really surreal 😁

    • @user-lw8dr6xx8i
      @user-lw8dr6xx8i Před 2 lety +26

      Most accurate is just Roman Empire. After the 'West' fell and was defacto dissolved, the 'East' was also legally dissolved, and all remaining territory became a single reunited Roman Empire. Both Western and Eastern Empires technically ended. So even though most of remaining territory was in eastern regions, it all became one single united 'Roman Empire'.

    • @Pavlos_Charalambous
      @Pavlos_Charalambous Před 2 lety +8

      @@user-lw8dr6xx8i for them it was "η βασιλιά των Ρωμαίων" the rule of the Romans 😉

    • @spartan9540
      @spartan9540 Před 2 lety +5

      @@user-lw8dr6xx8i so why did Latins call our emperor “emperor of the Greeks” and refuse to recognise him as Roman ?

  • @armaholic5949
    @armaholic5949 Před 2 lety +517

    I'm Greek and I could understand the purpose of each tagma just by it's name! They never taught us this stuff in school so thank you very much for your effort!

    • @Joe-po9xn
      @Joe-po9xn Před 2 lety +6

      Care to elaborate?

    • @Pavlos_Charalambous
      @Pavlos_Charalambous Před 2 lety +88

      @@Joe-po9xn many terms are used even today in modern Greek, for example stratigos is general, tagnatarchis major, lochagos captain and so on, most of the words in Greek language are self explanatory 😉 kavalarioi in medieval Greek are the riders, scoutatoi are the ones carrying the heavy shield" scouta" clivanarioi are the ironclad ones voukelarioi are the ones who eat together - like a family around the table, the terms usually are quite literal 😉

    • @ericconnor8251
      @ericconnor8251 Před 2 lety +6

      @@IonidisIX You're going to mention the prehistorical Neolithic period that occurred centuries before Bronze Age Indo-European migrations but not Greece's "Archaic" period at the beginning of the Iron Age? The age of Cleomenes, Lycurgus, Solon, Pythagoras, etc.? Strange choice, but overall good points. History can be used as a breeding ground for nationalism, but it should still be taught.

    • @gilpaubelid3780
      @gilpaubelid3780 Před 2 lety +6

      @@savioblanc It is. Even at schools the history lessons are divided into: 3 years ancient Greek history, 3 years byzantine history and 3 years modern history.

    • @Pavlos_Charalambous
      @Pavlos_Charalambous Před 2 lety +5

      @@savioblanc yes it's really a big thing, some times more than they should but the thing with the public education is that they don't get into technical details for example they don't explain much about the ancient Greek phalanx, the eastern Roman armies or even the 19th century Greek rebels, they most focus on the main narrative, diplomacy, war declarations Rebellions ect I mean half of the things I mentioned above I know them from my military service

  • @paolovirtuani7826
    @paolovirtuani7826 Před 2 lety +444

    Kudos for keeping all Greek terms relatively untouched (e.g. Kataphraktoi instead of Cataphracts). It gives a more realistic experience. Also, I can't get enough of these nice graphics, there's something really addictive about them. Thanks!

    • @rav9066
      @rav9066 Před 2 lety

      im confused - were the cataphracts called Kataphraktoi or Cataphractarii?

    • @georgedoe4827
      @georgedoe4827 Před 2 lety +22

      @@matthiuskoenig3378 not really. The word "Cataprhracts" comes from the word "Kataphraktoi" which in Greek means something like "the one who wears full armor ". The word is still used in modern Greek to describe someone heavily armored.

    • @Pavlos_Charalambous
      @Pavlos_Charalambous Před 2 lety +2

      @@matthiuskoenig3378 more like ironclad or completely covered with armour 😉

    • @joelwu2254
      @joelwu2254 Před 2 lety +4

      The video presenters greek accent is off

    • @user-zm8nb8pk4n
      @user-zm8nb8pk4n Před 2 lety +5

      yes but the pronunciation is wrong. Medieval greek pronunciation was same as todays Katharevousa. He uses ancient classical Greek pronunciation for medieval Greek.

  • @EnnuiPilgrim
    @EnnuiPilgrim Před 2 lety +302

    I admire the Romans' ability to adapt and survive to the ages, against the odds. Very fascinating seeing how much they've changed from their predecessors. Imagine if they had survived until the days of WW1?

    • @nicholasthuya7683
      @nicholasthuya7683 Před 2 lety +99

      Well then the balkans wouldn’t be quite a mess

    • @popmonika
      @popmonika Před 2 lety +33

      Well seeing as when they conquered Constantinople, the Ottoman's considered themselves a continuation of the empire just a change in religion (like Constantine) then perhaps they did.

    • @GeneralPet
      @GeneralPet Před 2 lety +80

      @@popmonika Imagine claiming to be the empire you just destroyed. What kind of delusion is this?

    • @jameskid1989
      @jameskid1989 Před 2 lety +19

      @@GeneralPet Whatever to help them feel more European than Turkic(since the majority of them are just force-converted Anatolian people)

    • @Liquidsback
      @Liquidsback Před 2 lety +14

      @@GeneralPet (Alexander the Great sweats)

  • @HistoryOfRevolutions
    @HistoryOfRevolutions Před 2 lety +221

    Erich Fromm once wrote:
    "Respect is not fear and awe; it is the ability to see a person as he is, to be aware of his unique individuality. Respect, thus, implies the absence of exploitation. I want the loved person to grow and unfold for his own sake, and in his own ways, and not for the purpose of serving me"

    • @lesROKnoobz
      @lesROKnoobz Před 2 lety +3

      I'm saving this quote. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this

    • @harrystacey8391
      @harrystacey8391 Před 2 lety

      Thank you for this, great representation of Respect.

  • @Mohammed-vc4ib
    @Mohammed-vc4ib Před 2 lety +209

    imagine a Roman army with cannons and guns, cause it existed. Thats what i love most about Romans, They fought against hannibal and Succesors of alaxanders but they also fought against turks with cannons and muskets.

    • @alg7115
      @alg7115 Před 2 lety +42

      They also famously had flame throughers

    • @obiwan3375
      @obiwan3375 Před 2 lety +29

      @@alg7115 *Greek fire

    • @locomotivebearingdown5381
      @locomotivebearingdown5381 Před 2 lety +66

      @@obiwan3375 *Roman* fire. That is what the "byzantine" Romans called it. Greek fire was what the Catholics called it because they refused to recognize it as Roman!

    • @obiwan3375
      @obiwan3375 Před 2 lety +8

      @@locomotivebearingdown5381 ok thx m8 👍

    • @matthewbabao9684
      @matthewbabao9684 Před 2 lety +2

      @@alg7115 flame throwers

  • @napoleonibonaparte7198
    @napoleonibonaparte7198 Před 2 lety +192

    A coverage on the fate of the legions would be interesting.

    • @Changdao1644
      @Changdao1644 Před 2 lety +35

      Apparently the last one fell fighting the Arabs during their expansion into the Levant

    • @lijunasuguerra6424
      @lijunasuguerra6424 Před 2 lety +6

      I think Invicta covered it on his channel

    • @aqui1ifer
      @aqui1ifer Před 2 lety +13

      To my knowledge, a fair number of the initial Themes, especially in Anatolia, were made from & took the names of the legions originally from those specific areas.

    • @Dustz92
      @Dustz92 Před 2 lety +10

      @@aqui1ifer no, they took the name of the field armies (like the thrace army becoming the trakesion). Legions had been a thing of the past for a while

    • @alexelmaleh3076
      @alexelmaleh3076 Před 2 lety +9

      @@Dustz92 that’s right; the Opsikion was formed from the remnants of the old Obsequium Praesentalis, the Army in the Imperial Presence i.e. the Imperial field army that followed the emperor or his appointed commander on campaign and was effectively destroyed in the initial campaigns against the Rashidun Caliphate.

  • @TorvusVae
    @TorvusVae Před 2 lety +55

    Once upon a time I was a classical Rome fanboy, but as I get older and read more, the ERE and medieval Roman empires are way more interesting

    • @ariyoiansky291
      @ariyoiansky291 Před 2 lety +15

      The beautiful struggle to maintain its place at the top, and what a fight Rome put up all the way to the end of it.

    • @pedroalencar6407
      @pedroalencar6407 Před 2 lety +3

      Nah, the ERE feels melancholic af

    • @hello-gx6oi
      @hello-gx6oi Před 2 lety +6

      @@ariyoiansky291 yeah people relate to struggles

    • @judsonwall8615
      @judsonwall8615 Před 2 lety +5

      Definitely. Highly recommend Robin Pierson’s podcast “The History of Byzantium” if you like Byzantine history. It’s by far my favorite history podcast and he does a fantastic job of putting into perspective the Byzantine struggle for survival.

  • @Mrkabrat
    @Mrkabrat Před 2 lety +179

    The eastern roman army was a big fan of "If you can't beat them, pay them to join you" strategy, at least by its later years when it relied on mercenary troops quite a bit

    • @georgedoe4827
      @georgedoe4827 Před 2 lety +34

      So many wars, so many years, so many enemies, so many battles, so many dead eastern Romans... Nobody could beat them all...! Nobody had that much manpower. Eventually you'll have to pay them. The Franks did the same with the Vikings as the Saxons did with the Danes

    • @enigmachinasclass8153
      @enigmachinasclass8153 Před 2 lety +1

      They were the definition of a "tall empire".

    • @geordiejones5618
      @geordiejones5618 Před 2 lety +15

      @@enigmachinasclass8153 is that how they were able to retain Greece and western Anatolia for so long? Its amazing they didn't crumble under the weight of Islam. I wonder how all those Muslim leaders would feel watching the Crusaders fuck up Constantinople after all their failed efforts.

    • @enigmachinasclass8153
      @enigmachinasclass8153 Před 2 lety +13

      @@geordiejones5618 They persisted for so long because they were never able to grow complacent, constant unyielding warfare tempered them into a force to be reckoned with. I only wish they'd have settled down a bit more before expanding so far to the west. The crutraitors opened up the opportunity for the Muslim forces to finally kick the Romans while they were already down. My thoughts on what the Ottomans likely said upon hearing this "It's free real estate".

    • @mohammedabdul641
      @mohammedabdul641 Před 2 lety +1

      @@geordiejones5618 caliph umar without a doubt could have taken control over anatolia under his reign but he decided not to expand his lands too much.

  • @pattonramming1988
    @pattonramming1988 Před 2 lety +146

    The Solenarion is such a fascinating weapon that it deserves it's own video

    • @user-ln8eh5nq3q
      @user-ln8eh5nq3q Před 2 lety +7

      indeed !!

    • @miguelmendoza4513
      @miguelmendoza4513 Před 2 lety +3

      Reminds me of the Asian Tong-Ah in archery.

    • @gorakoss
      @gorakoss Před rokem

      I' m pretty sure a Khaby Lame video would be sufficient enough to demonstrate it's history and purpose!

  • @johnypsilantis2442
    @johnypsilantis2442 Před 2 lety +118

    The kataphraktoi of Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes are one of the greatest military units of all time...glad to see them get some screen time as they are usually forgotten.

    • @tigranispiryan4865
      @tigranispiryan4865 Před rokem

      Fun fact the Byzantine military was mostly Armenian. Even the elite imperial guards, the Scholae Palatinae were mostly Armenians! : )

    • @zippyparakeet1074
      @zippyparakeet1074 Před 11 měsíci

      ​@@tigranispiryan4865It wasn't mostly Armenian although a large part of it was especially the Easternmost themes such as Armenian Sicilia. They were the first to face any Arab or other eastern invasions.

  • @chriskw4362
    @chriskw4362 Před 2 lety +172

    I am from Cyprus and one of our local legends involves the mountainous region of Pentadaktylos ( five figures = five peaks) and Digenis. They say that he grabbed the mountain and rose from the sea to fight the Arabs. That's how important the Akrites were back then!

    • @ali95ah
      @ali95ah Před 2 lety +12

      Did he also slay bears and Lions with his bare hands? Like Basil of the "Diogenes Akritas"? Reminds me of the legend of Heracles

    • @GeneralPet
      @GeneralPet Před 2 lety +2

      I thought the mountain was already there, he just put his hand to jump over it and the 5 peaks formed from the gaps between his fingers.

    • @ali95ah
      @ali95ah Před 2 lety +3

      @Mastor Technon Interesting. Almost seems like he was inspired by ancient Greek mythology, which makes people like him demi-gods. But I wonder if the man in the Diogenes Akritas was a real person, or completely made up.

    • @ali95ah
      @ali95ah Před 2 lety

      @Mastor Technon I understand completely. My question was specific. Was not asking if the details surrounding this border soldier were real or not, I was asking if he did exist or was completely made up. Think Alexander and Achilles. The former was a real person, the latter was not. But I think you answered me in a way which highlights the importance of the Akritai, regardless if Basileos was a real person or not.

    • @ali95ah
      @ali95ah Před 2 lety

      @Mastor Technon 👍

  • @sorrybro4890
    @sorrybro4890 Před 2 lety +36

    Four uploads in one week!
    What a good time to be alive

  • @SimuLord
    @SimuLord Před 2 lety +28

    Imperial Vigla Recruits are a welcome sight in villages of Calradia.
    It's nice to put a historical face to the name, so to speak.

  • @kicokyaw1039
    @kicokyaw1039 Před 2 lety +24

    Omg finally, you have no idea how long I waited for this

  • @KashouWannabe
    @KashouWannabe Před 2 lety +113

    I love this channels work on Roman and related military history. I was never good at the subject, but grew to love the Antiquity Era through the Asterix books. I dabble in various games such as Mount and Blade and Crusader Kings and try and base various units and tactics off what I learn from videos like this. Great work, and always like a fellow fan of MATN.

    • @GanjaMasterBlaster
      @GanjaMasterBlaster Před 2 lety +4

      I love the antiquity, early medieval and early modern era
      Also love dabbling on Mount and Blade Warband (there is a cool mod known as The Deluge, and a Bannerlord modding team making The Deluge With Fire and Sword, and hope there will be a antiquity era mod with both single player and multi player)

    • @KashouWannabe
      @KashouWannabe Před 2 lety

      @@GanjaMasterBlaster Look into Eagle Rising, such a great mod that I would play constantly if it worked with all the features of Realistic Battles.
      But yeah awesome work mod.

    • @mindclipers8112
      @mindclipers8112 Před 2 lety +1

      f1 f3 is best strategy dont listen to this guy.

    • @sasi5841
      @sasi5841 Před 2 lety

      I would highly recommend Total War Attila, it has many of the units presented in the video. The graphics are also great. According to many, it is the most difficult total war game. However it is one of (if not the best) for people who like ERE.

  • @vincesettineri
    @vincesettineri Před 2 lety +19

    So glad you guys covered this period because very few people cover armor weapons and unit structure of medevil rome

  • @vincitomniaveritas3981
    @vincitomniaveritas3981 Před 2 lety +28

    I'm regularly amazed at how you produce these brilliant videos at such a great pace.

  • @auradzrts691
    @auradzrts691 Před 2 lety +28

    Thank you for covering this, I always fascinated to the Eastern Roman Army, especially their organizations and their armor.

  • @TSmith-yy3cc
    @TSmith-yy3cc Před 2 lety +1

    The writing, detail and visuals in the team's work are absolutely fantastic; this channel's presentation is second-to-none.

  • @Romellenios_Lanz_Daemos
    @Romellenios_Lanz_Daemos Před 2 lety +4

    The video I've been waiting for.

  • @ariyoiansky291
    @ariyoiansky291 Před 2 lety +2

    Had to watch again, just love the detail you guys include.

  • @rataplanrrr
    @rataplanrrr Před 2 lety +4

    Great summary of a pretty complex subject - cheers!

  • @junninterim2424
    @junninterim2424 Před 2 lety +7

    CZcams becomes a treasure box of knowledge because of channels like this. Sir, God bless you and may your work prosper. Keep safe and I pray for your wellbeing.

    • @felixphilippe7224
      @felixphilippe7224 Před 2 lety

      this is extremely superficial, and youtube is not 'a treasure box of knowledge'.

  • @Ridingaroundandgettingit
    @Ridingaroundandgettingit Před 2 lety +2

    This was such a great episode!

  • @leroyholm9075
    @leroyholm9075 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent production and dialogue, highly recommended!

  • @Mirko1913
    @Mirko1913 Před 2 lety

    Yet another top notch video from Kings and Generals. Thanks for bringing knowledge into our world, guys, I absolutely love you!

  • @shibre9543
    @shibre9543 Před 2 lety +17

    the drawings are so good good job guys

  • @ravensthatflywiththenightm7319

    I've wondered an extremely long time what the Byzantines used in battle. Finally this video answers it all.

    • @GanjaMasterBlaster
      @GanjaMasterBlaster Před 2 lety +1

      I always wondered too
      And i wanna say i love their armors, especially scale and lamellar armors

    • @Fiaw1
      @Fiaw1 Před 2 lety

      Go buy a book. This just scratches the surface.

    • @ravensthatflywiththenightm7319
      @ravensthatflywiththenightm7319 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Fiaw1 Just "a book"? That's extremely unhelpful.

  • @ikediz
    @ikediz Před 2 lety +2

    Damn. Can this channel get any better? K&G started my CZcams history addiction. So many now Fall of Civilizations, Flashpoint History, Invicta, HistoryMarche, The Cold War channel, etc. I just can't get enough. Great vid.

  • @denniscleary7580
    @denniscleary7580 Před 2 lety +25

    Love playing as the eastern Roman a.k.a. the Byzantine empire in my total war game, very challenging and interesting history

  • @brokenbridge6316
    @brokenbridge6316 Před 2 lety +3

    I really like hearing about the Byzantine's and their military structure. And this video was a good one. Great job. My compliments to all those who made this video a reality.

  • @tttccc3151
    @tttccc3151 Před 2 lety

    i have been waiting for this all my life - amazing video

  • @huseyincobanoglu531
    @huseyincobanoglu531 Před 2 lety

    Thank you Kings and Generals Team

  • @chaosspork
    @chaosspork Před 2 lety +7

    Nice! I'm always happy to see more info about the later parts of Roman history. Thanks so much for doing this. You guys rock!

  • @kingarveleg8134
    @kingarveleg8134 Před 2 lety

    Fascinating topics and superb quality presentation.

  • @mikemodugno5879
    @mikemodugno5879 Před 2 lety +3

    Awesome video! Can't wait for the next one. In light of the recent addition to AOE 2 Definitive Edition I would like to suggest a video about the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

  • @ckaiborbor
    @ckaiborbor Před 2 lety

    You guys are on a roll, keep it up!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @GloriousGrunt
    @GloriousGrunt Před 2 lety

    Awesome breakdown, thanks!

  • @dariusmot8440
    @dariusmot8440 Před 2 lety +14

    The byzantine empire is my favorite empire! Cood you do one on Nikephoros Phocas conquering the Cyprus island, cilicia and Antioch. Thanks

  • @mascadadelpantion8018
    @mascadadelpantion8018 Před 2 lety

    Bless this channel and all that it's worth

  • @tundra5171
    @tundra5171 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you a lot for this video, I particularly like it out of the hundred others you've posted. Primarily because of the Byzantine theme (get it?), the beautiful artwork that really immerses you, and the all-too-familiar CK2 music you occasionally use. Really enjoyed it.

  • @user-sc5iv2rp2t
    @user-sc5iv2rp2t Před 2 lety +20

    I remember learning folk songs in elementary school about Digenis Akritas back in the 90s. I hope that Greek kids are still taught of him.

  • @ariyoiansky291
    @ariyoiansky291 Před 2 lety

    Just saved my day, perfect timing

  • @trueLucif3RR
    @trueLucif3RR Před 2 lety

    great episode as always!

  • @gooner72
    @gooner72 Před 2 lety

    Fantastic break down of these units, K&G's..... top job mate!!

  • @strategosopsikion8576
    @strategosopsikion8576 Před 2 lety

    Awesome video man! Love all the detail.

  • @thegreat8153
    @thegreat8153 Před 2 lety +42

    Just a little fact from a Greek: In this video, "Kings and Generals" mentioned the Strategos, the highest in the hierarchy of the army. In Greek, Strategos means "One who leads an army". The plural of this word is "Strategoi". However, it's pronounced "Stratege" in Greek. In Greece, we have some letters combined that make a sound equivalent to some other letters. In "Strategoi", the "oi" in the end, is the equivalent of saying the letter "e". It's not the standard "e" like saying "boxer" but an "e" like "Strategos".
    And that is only the first combination of letters. We have another three of them that are completely different letters together, and one of them is the same sound as "oi" but it's written differently and is used in different scenarios. It's not difficult, just a little complicated.

    • @Vitalis94
      @Vitalis94 Před 2 lety +3

      What about the equivalents of Latin B and G? I'm listening the History of Byzantium podcast, and he pronounces basileus as vasilefs or something similar, while his pronounciation of the "g" in strategos is similar to the Dutch "g", or English "h", making it something along the lines of "Stra-ti-Hos" How accurate is it?

    • @bigboyxxxXxxx
      @bigboyxxxXxxx Před 2 lety +11

      hello fellow countryman! as far as i have studied, the modern way of pronouncing greek letters and phthongs is not necessarily the way they were pronounced back in the byzantine or classical era.time and culture and language intermixture has driven us to have like 5 "ι" which doesnt make any sence if there is no difference in saying "ι",'η","υ","οι" or "ει". look at languages that are much younger than ours, like the one we use right now, it is very simple and makes sence, both spoken and written. greek on the other hand makes sence only in written form ( you can identify the root of a word by looking at the way it is written). anyway this topic is very interesting and fairly difficult to discuss in a restricted environment like a youtube thread, but i can recommend a very good linguist for ancient languages, the channel name is
      polýMATHY. let me hear your thoughts, take care

    • @thegreat8153
      @thegreat8153 Před 2 lety +8

      @@Vitalis94 Yes, Basileus is another Greek word which means "King" in English. The "eu" in Basileus stands for the letter "f" in in Greek. It's not Stra-ti-hos but it's more..."g" like. In Greek, the letter "gamma" (γ) is not like the English "g". You could say that it's somewhat like the Dutch "g" but more..."g" like. Our "g" does not appear in the English language, so you should search how the Greek "Gamma" is pronounced. But if I had to explain it to you is to pronounce "h" but simultaneously, pronounce the "g" sound.
      If you speak French, you should have noticed by now that they don't pronounce the "r" in certain words. That sound that they make when they try to say the "r" in English but they can't, that's a very close sound to our "gamma". Like, really REALLY close. You should check it out, we have many interesting twists and turns here in our language, and the sad thing is that many words that we would normally use in our language, are forgotten because we cut ties with the ancient Greek language.
      That's a little add on if you wish to read it, it's alright. In Greek, if you wish to talk to someone and use a noun, you have to change it, to adjust itself to the person you are speaking to! In English, we only change the "I, You, He, She, It" while in Greek we change the noun too! Say, you are an advisor in the Byzantine military of a General, and he whishes of your presence, you would say "Yes, Strategos" right? Riiight? Well, no. In Greek, the correct way of saying it is "Yes Stratege" but the "e" in the end is like an "e" in the word "boxer". That happens with all the other "he, she it" stuff, in plural, every single one of "we, you, they, I, you, he, she, it", you change the noun.
      These kinds of things make my language so rich! Thanks for reading!

    • @Vitalis94
      @Vitalis94 Před 2 lety +5

      @@thegreat8153 Interesting. Greek is a fascinating language, it's weird I never felt the need to learn it. Another failure of a proclaimed Byzantophile. :D Anyways, thanks for your answer!

    • @johng7003
      @johng7003 Před 2 lety +6

      @@bigboyxxxXxxx I believe that after Alexander the Greats death and of course during the Hellenistic era and beyond the diphthongs in Greek were already slowly forming by the continuous and the development of Koine Greek (aka Common Greek language that everyone from any regions and dialects in the Greek world would speak). So in a way the people in during the Middle Ages and most notably the Byzantine Empire would already speak and sound with diphthongs in some of their words, such as "ει"being and sounding like "e" or "αι" being and sounding like "e" like " I have read".

  • @AlphaCrucis
    @AlphaCrucis Před 2 lety +1

    That track that started at 5:27 was pretty cool. Very fitting for that segment.

  • @loupiscanis9449
    @loupiscanis9449 Před 2 lety

    Thank you , K&G .

  • @blacklight4720
    @blacklight4720 Před 2 lety

    Thanks Kings and Generals, It was an Interesting video.

  • @Artur_M.
    @Artur_M. Před 2 lety +5

    Thanks for introducing me to Digenes Akritas! BTW you can find fragments of the epic poem sang here on CZcams.

  • @GanjaMasterBlaster
    @GanjaMasterBlaster Před 2 lety +1

    Amazing video as always
    And i want to say, i love the equipment
    also always wondered how they would look in the 14th, 15th and 16th century
    Like imagine the Deluge wars with ERE

  • @philipd1439
    @philipd1439 Před 2 lety

    I just love your videos!! Thank You!!

  • @naidenromanov3050
    @naidenromanov3050 Před 2 lety +5

    Really interesting that Rhomphaia and the Thracian(phrygian) helmet were still in use so late in the Roman empire. Even tho those Thracian weapons were used only by the palace guards, it is quietly fascinating.

  • @matts7125
    @matts7125 Před 9 měsíci

    This was a really interesting video!

  • @CivilWarWeekByWeek
    @CivilWarWeekByWeek Před 2 lety +35

    I feel like they focused more on fashion than warfare. I agree with that choice.

    • @thomasdaywalt7735
      @thomasdaywalt7735 Před 2 lety +2

      Fashions overrated while historical fashion isn't but these days it is

    • @wingedhussar1453
      @wingedhussar1453 Před 2 lety

      @@thekraken1173 why is there always an asshole who just HAS to make a backhand response to a general comment just to start an argument

    • @johntitor1256
      @johntitor1256 Před 2 lety +9

      'The Roman Army ought to be the most fashionable of all the armies of the world. We gotta style all over those dirty barbarians.'
      - The Strategikon, definitely

    • @johntitor1256
      @johntitor1256 Před 2 lety +4

      Kidding aside, though, the Byzantine army may have been among the first people to observe a link between uniforms and morale. An 11th century version of the Strategikon says commanders should ensure that their horsemen have good mounts and well-kept equipment to make sure that the brave fight all the better and the timid would try to do their bit.

    • @jadenpham8020
      @jadenpham8020 Před 2 lety +1

      @@thekraken1173 scale armor and lamella armor too heavy, expensive, and not durability like the chainmail of the West, looklike the ERE just change a little in 1000s years, that why they must ask Pope for the crusader from the West to help them stop the Muslims.

  • @MucizatTevarih
    @MucizatTevarih Před 2 lety

    We will catch you on the next one.

  • @100dfrost
    @100dfrost Před 2 lety

    Good video, thanks.

  • @ere10466
    @ere10466 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for the video. Roman history is so interesting

  • @terry7907
    @terry7907 Před 2 lety +5

    While the knowledge conveyed is always outstanding, what I find most impressive is the flawless pronunciation, no matter which language is being used.

    • @Lex45173
      @Lex45173 Před 2 lety +2

      Not flawless. I am Greek and many words and names are pronounced wrong but it's a good effort.

  • @emerestthisk990
    @emerestthisk990 Před 2 lety

    Great work

  • @paulcormon6765
    @paulcormon6765 Před 2 lety

    Super video! 👌

  • @Mr_M_History
    @Mr_M_History Před 2 lety +1

    The notification hits right before I finally go to bed. Ah well, guess I'm falling down another rabbit hole tonight!

  • @GrandDukeMushroom
    @GrandDukeMushroom Před 2 lety

    Very informative video, i like it :D

  • @paulstephensia1412
    @paulstephensia1412 Před 2 lety +8

    Hope you make more videos about the Byzantine Empire lives of prominent figures like Alexios I ,Michael the Amorian, and many of their great generals and Emperors.

  • @RhmnLego
    @RhmnLego Před 2 lety +3

    Please do more Byzantine histories. It has been my obsession for the past 2 years. Maybe Heraklios campaigns?

  • @nikospapadopoulos1041
    @nikospapadopoulos1041 Před 2 lety +1

    The video is great and kudos for that. I think a great contribution in the shrinking and multiplication of number of themes (to constrain potential power of their Strategoi/Generals) and in the establishment of the professional Tagmata units as the centralized elite army and reserve in the Capital in the form they came to be was from the great soldier Emperor (and great administrator although reviled by many and certainly after his death and post the triumph of icon worshippers, for his harsh policies against icons and their supporters) Constantine V in the mid 8th c.

  • @michaelquinn8064
    @michaelquinn8064 Před 2 lety

    great stuff

  • @marcomavro
    @marcomavro Před 2 lety

    Thanks!

  • @adrianwebster6923
    @adrianwebster6923 Před 2 lety +6

    It would be an interesting supplement to have a video focused on the evolution of the Byzantine arms factories (fabrica) and their role in maintaining a strong military structure while much of Europe became less standardized.

  • @lshowupainandpleasur
    @lshowupainandpleasur Před 2 lety

    great video

  • @HAYAOLEONE
    @HAYAOLEONE Před 2 lety +1

    Nice video.

  • @tezcanuyank3446
    @tezcanuyank3446 Před 2 lety

    Another great video please make video about ottoman army equipments and tactics series please

  • @gregrefon
    @gregrefon Před 2 lety +1

    So informative. Geek level 999! Thanks mate!

    • @tigranispiryan4865
      @tigranispiryan4865 Před rokem

      Fun fact the Byzantine military was mostly Armenian. Even the elite imperial guards, the Scholae Palatinae were mostly Armenians! : )

  • @aleksapetrovic6519
    @aleksapetrovic6519 Před 2 lety +40

    -The beacons are lit! Edessa calls for aid!
    -And Constantinople will answer!

    • @user-ln8eh5nq3q
      @user-ln8eh5nq3q Před 2 lety +9

      yes they actually had beacons acrooss the empire to alarm for enemies

  • @TakisParganas
    @TakisParganas Před 2 lety +5

    Something that you guys will find useful. Every word ending in "oi" eg Skoutatoi, kataphraktoi etc, it's simply pronounced as "e", not "oi". One of your best videos, loved it.

  • @marksarga4404
    @marksarga4404 Před 2 lety

    I like the ck 2 background soundtrack at the end. Pls do more vids on the ERE! This stuff is amazing!

  • @Vinilupus
    @Vinilupus Před 2 lety

    Excelente vídeo!!!!

  • @russellgardener126
    @russellgardener126 Před 2 lety +19

    How timely....I'm in the middle of playing the Byzantium Endures tournament on Field of Glory II Multiplayer. You get to play 5 rounds against different historical opponents between about 500 and 950 AD. This explains the units a bit more.

    • @mohammedabdul641
      @mohammedabdul641 Před 2 lety

      Is the game free on mobile

    • @russellgardener126
      @russellgardener126 Před 2 lety

      @@mohammedabdul641 not as far as I know. But it is available via Steam. It isnt free, but doesnt cost too much. It's worth checking it out and seeing whether you like. You can play as Caesar, Alexander, ancient China, or as the Arab wars of conquest....endless possibilities

  • @ageingviking5587
    @ageingviking5587 Před 2 lety +1

    Good stuff ! Thanks Ks&Gs..... I've always considered the Cataphracts the original TANK ..

  • @Vegnarr
    @Vegnarr Před 2 lety

    Nice Video friend!!!!

  • @GanjaMasterBlaster
    @GanjaMasterBlaster Před 2 lety +2

    I was really hoping you would make a video on Greek Fire

  • @pseudomonas03
    @pseudomonas03 Před 2 lety +4

    The eccellent organization of the Thematai was one of the main reasons that the ERE survived for so long, even if it had to face multiple threats at the same time. Basically Rhomania had three lines of defences. The Akritai (Ακρίτες) were the first line of defence, highly trained soldiers who had been granted lands near the borders, so they were at the same time guardians of the frontier, but also defenders of their lands. Their accomplishments became legendary, and they have turned to epic poems and songs (Greeks from Crete, Cyprus, Pontus, they still sing the adventures of Digenis Akritas). The second line of defence were the Thematic armies, who were ready to go in action, in case of an ongoing invasion, or when the Imperial Armies were busy elsewhere. An example of how this worked, when Basil II the Bulgarslayer was fighting the Arabs in Syria, the Bulgars of tzar Samuel, invaded Southern Greece, but was defeated by the Thematic Army of the Strategos Nikephoros Ouranos. The third line of defence was the Imperial Army, the most well trained and better equipped lead by the Basileus himself, where the need was more urgent. Add to all these were the Imperial but also the Thematic fleet. The Drouggarios of the fleet (admiral) was a military title which survived untill 1453. For example The leader of the Cretan archers, who were among the last defenders of Constantinople against the Ottomans, Manoussos Kalikratis from the region of Sfakia, still hold the title of Drouggarios. Great video. Thank you.

    • @jadenpham8020
      @jadenpham8020 Před 2 lety

      Many crusader help them survire when the Muslim must fight with the Western knight in 400 years.

    • @user-ln8eh5nq3q
      @user-ln8eh5nq3q Před 2 lety +1

      ο μανουσσος καλικρατης και οι περιφημοι κρητικοι τοξοτες

    • @pseudomonas03
      @pseudomonas03 Před 2 lety +1

      @@user-ln8eh5nq3q Οι τελευταιοι υπερασπιστες της Πολης.

    • @user-ln8eh5nq3q
      @user-ln8eh5nq3q Před 2 lety +1

      @@pseudomonas03 ναι ακομα και αν η Πολη ειχε πεσει αυτοι συνεχισαν να πολεμουν !

  • @HellenicWolf
    @HellenicWolf Před 2 lety

    well done

  • @ramiromen6595
    @ramiromen6595 Před 2 lety +9

    I'd love to see a vid about the second civil war of Palaiologos, i think it's the moment when the empire truly crossed the point of no return and pretty much became destined to fall.

  • @kevinaliaga8373
    @kevinaliaga8373 Před 2 lety

    Thank you

  • @cembiten911
    @cembiten911 Před 2 lety

    You are best thing ever happened to CZcams

  • @aveimperia4026
    @aveimperia4026 Před 2 lety +2

    Just a suggestion, but perhaps for the next video we could hear about the many glorious exploits of Caesar's favorite Tenth Legion?

  • @domagoj905
    @domagoj905 Před 2 lety +10

    What a site Constantinople must've been! I love Byzantium!

  • @user-mk6mn6wu7y
    @user-mk6mn6wu7y Před 2 lety +1

    You didn t mentioned about units of flamethrowers (syphonophorus?).
    Which were quite awesome.

  • @PenguinofD00mxxx
    @PenguinofD00mxxx Před 2 lety

    Awesome

  • @anomalocaris7436
    @anomalocaris7436 Před 2 lety +1

    Have you considered doing a video on King Kamehameha's conquests of Oahu and Maui?

  • @EloiFL
    @EloiFL Před 2 lety

    ¡Gracias!

  • @machveqsa2129
    @machveqsa2129 Před 2 lety

    I love Byzantine empire thanks for this cool video

  • @SlayerRiley
    @SlayerRiley Před 2 lety

    Cool!

  • @jorgemasvidal7566
    @jorgemasvidal7566 Před 2 lety +1

    Video about buyid dinasty next please ❤🙏

  • @roe2012
    @roe2012 Před rokem

    Sling shot really could useful, since times of David. The darts also interesting. Spear was a standard defense weapon to bring.