Post by The Lord Our God (GM) on Nov 22, 2012 22:58:22 GMT
Military Units of the Late Roman Empire/Byzantine Empire
Auxillia Palatini: These troops are elite infantry troops and generally serve everywhere within the realm, these men serve as a last resort cohort and are tough and reliable. They are organised in exactly the same way as the rest of the Byzantine Armies. So the ranking structure is exactly the same.
Limitanei: Meaning soldiers of the frontier, these troops were lightly armed with spear and shield and are responsible for policing the borders of the Empire. There aim to delay any advancing forces long enough so that the regional Comesitanes can close up and form a strong counter attack. But over the years these men and units have become strong and tough fighting units able to withstand most incursions on there own. Meaning that the regional Comesitanes see little action.
Domestici: These men are the Protectores, initially these men were the closet guards to the Emperor but over time, much like the Praetorian Guard they became a unit that was perversed by money and influence, this guard is still located in the palace but it no longer in a place of honour. From the Domestici come the future tribunus' of the armies.
Comesitanes: The Comesitanes are the regional powerhouses and are there to strike the killer blows against the enemy. These men are not always on active service but are still well trained and if handled correctly a potent force.
Excubitors: The Excubitors are the crack elite bodyguard that defend the Emperor and on many occasions complete special missions for him. The leader of the Excubitors is specially chosen and more often than not its with his support that the next claimant becomes Emperor. The last three emperors have come from the Comes Excubitorum, making it a very powerful position.
Scholae Palatini: The Scholae were once elite but have now lost there professional power and are now generally a show unit.
Cavalry With the realisation that the old Roman empire suffered suffered from a serious derth in mobile cavalry forces. The Byzantines especially Justinian decided the employ barbarians to solve the issue whilst trying to train his own distinctive cavalry corps. They hired Hunnic, Alan, Sarmatian as well as Scythian cavalry. As times progressed, he also added Kataphractoi as well Clibinarius cavalry to aid in dealing with the eastern Sassanid empire.