Equestrian Military Equipment of the Eastern Roman Armies in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries
Equestrian Military Equipment of the Eastern Roman Armies in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries

Author(s): Mattia Caprioli
Subject(s): History, Military history, Middle Ages, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Trivent Publishing
Keywords: Equestrian military equipment; Eastern Roman Empire; horse armor; saddle; stirrups; decorative devices.
Summary/Abstract: This study examines artefactual, literary, and other evidence relating to equestrian military equipment of the sixth and seventh centuries from the reigns of the Emperors Justinian and Heraclius. Evidence from these sources are compared with that of territories and cultures outside the empire such as those of the Sasanians and Avars. Research questions explored and analyzed include: how widespread was the use of horse armor in the Eastern Roman army; were two types of saddle possibly in use; how widespread was the adoption of stirrups, newly introduced at this time; what evidence is there for equestrian decorative pieces; how was equestrian military equipment produced. Some major issues are analyzed: how widespread was the actual use of horse armors in the Eastern Roman army; the possibility of the usage of at least two different types of saddle; how widespread actually was the use of the newly introduced stirrups; the actual evidence for equestrian decorative devices; the production of the equestrian military equipment.

• Details
• Contents