Byzantine Mercenary corps

**Sidmen** · August 25, 2007, 05:20 AM

Hi, I've been working on geting a Byzantine Merc mod together. Basicly I've been working to add several merc units to the tavern buildings for the byzantine empire, to simulate the empire's access to huge ammounts of mercs. (basicly, this is because I ran out of mercs and still only have around 2000 in my entire empire).

So this is where you come in. I'm sure some of you have more detailed info about the Byzantine Empire than I do. I've read as much as I could on the internet, but it doesn't give me much in the way of exactly what thier army was composed of. Basicly, I want to know what kinds of mercenaries to give them. So far I have:
Alan Cav
balkan archers
Armenian Archers
Armenian Cav
Frankish knights

Any additions to this list (hopefully with some kind of historical backing) would be helpful.

**delra** · August 25, 2007, 05:26 AM

Try reading this thread. :-)

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=108569

**King Kong** · August 25, 2007, 05:50 AM

Hi Sidmen,

Yep, I also recommend the link delra gave. There are also many mercenaries with historical names listed.

Good luck with your mini-mod!
I'm looking forward to it...

**Caesar Clivus** · August 25, 2007, 07:43 AM

Sidmen, I suggest you take a look at the Osprey Byzantine Armies 1118/1462. It lists in some detail all the different mercenaries the Byzantines used in this period.

I love the idea of your mod. If you need any help, PM me

**CtrlAltDe1337** · August 26, 2007, 12:45 AM

Don't forget the Turks. Many if not most of the troops in Byzantine service were either Turks or Franks (western Europeans).

**Keravnos** · August 26, 2007, 01:06 AM

http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/pdfs/pricej.pdf

Best source on Byz military of the Komnenoi era.

According to that, (page 23/129)

"...at this time, by necessity, the Byzantine army used a large force of mercenaries, Varangians, Russians, Pantzinaks, Turks, Frenchmen, Frenchmen, Germans, Englishmen, Bulgars, Abasgi and Alans,"

Include those and you will be fine.

**Sidmen** · August 26, 2007, 03:29 PM

Allrighty, I've revised the list and included the tier of Inn that they will be recruitable in (knights most likely won't hang around towns smaller than 8,000 people because there would be too little work)

Tier 1
Alan Cav
balkan archers
Slavic Mercs

Tier 2
Armenian Archers
Armenian Cav
Armenian Infantry
Bulgarian Brigands
Prussian Spearmen

Tier 3
Frankish knights
Viking Mercs

The modding should go very easy now that I have a list. (BTW, if you have a request for an addition that'll be no problem) Also, if anyone has some advice as to how fast these troops should replenish, that'd be helpful.

**delra** · August 26, 2007, 03:41 PM

Saracen mercenaries could be nice. They fit into tier 2.

**Gabriel A** · August 26, 2007, 04:06 PM

Cool.

I use almost all the mercs in my area. The balkan archers and Slavic spears area excellent cheap cannon fodder, and they add meat to your stack.

Some of the byznatine units already represent mercs though don't they? Skythikon, Vards, Lantikon, dismounted Lantikon, etc, all represent mercenary forces.

**Sidmen** · August 26, 2007, 04:32 PM

Thats why I didn't put any horse archers into the stack... And the lantikon represent catholic crusaders that were hired full time in the service of the Empire after the crusades, much like the turks did after the crusaders were driven from the holy lands.

I didn't want to use Saracen mercenaries because thier texture doesn't work in my game, but I'll add them anyway

**Akkaid** · September 03, 2007, 05:09 AM

Where you at on this one?

Also, this may not pertain to Byzantium, but werent Genoese Xbow companies one of the most sought after Merc units of the 14th century? I know they got spanked at Agincourte, but they were still a HOT item. I believe the participated in some Balkan campaignes too, but that may have been after the fall of Byzantium.

It REALLY annoys me that Byzantine Infantry is SOOO sub-par to its western counterparts.