Byzantine Naval Forces 1261–1461

An exhaustive study of the last flowering of Byzantium's naval troops, their battles, and their colourful dress and armor, in the chaotic 200 years before the final fall of Constantinople and the destruction of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Drawing upon early literary sources, the evidence of period illuminated manuscripts, frescoes and other iconography, this book details the lasting legacy of the swansong of Byzantine naval power.After the recapture of Constantinople, Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos was determined to bring glory back to the Byzantine Empire. To achieve this, he established an Imperial Fleet and raised new regiments of elite marine troops. This work provides a comprehensive, illustrated guide to the unit history and appearance of these men, who were at the cutting edge of the last great flourish of Byzantine naval power. They won victory after victory in campaigns throughout the 1260s–70s, and though successive periods of decline and partial resurrection followed, these marine units survived until the very last flickers of Byzantine resistance were extinguished. Drawing upon early literary sources, the rich evidence of period illuminated manuscripts, frescoes and other iconography, Raffaele D'Amato details the lasting legacy of the swansong of Byzantine naval power.