THE BYZANTINE ARMY IN “CROISADES” / “OUTREMER” – Variant and scenario
Version 1.5: 12/02
This extension for “Croisades” was published in Vae Victis issue #7 (Mar/Apr 1996), including some small modifications (notably on morale) from an earlier version by the same author published in Claymore #2 (1992). It provides a set of rules for Byzantine armies plus a scenario using those rules. The translation by Bob Gingell also includes suggestions for the Armenian army and tables of purchase points values. Other scenarios involving Byzantines are listed at the end. Occasional translator’s notes are identifiable by being placed in square brackets [].

Contents
1	Rules: The army of the Basileus (by Christian Delabos)
2	Summary of points values (by Bob Gingell)
3	Supplementary rule: The two-handed axe (from “Vikings”)
4	The Armenian army (by Bob Gingell)
5	Scenario: The Battle of Manzikert (by Fabrice Renier)
6	List of other supplementary scenarios involving Byzantines

1.	THE ARMY OF THE BASILEUS (L'ARMÉE DU BASILEUS)
Game aid for "Croisades" by Christian Delabos.

[This article is a revised version of an article on the Byzantine Army by the same author in Claymore #2. Some additional elements from that earlier version are included below in italics.] 

Strategic Scenarios No. 1 for “Croisades”, set in a period when the Emperors of the Comnenus dynasty resumed an active role in Syrian politics, includes a Byzantine player. However, since the original English version (“Outremer”) did not include any Byzantine characters, the French rules in “Croisades” proposed instead that counters from “Siege” and “Cry Havoc” be used. 

That solution does not allow an accurate simulation of the Byzantine army of this period, since the range of counters from the early games is relatively small – the publication of “Vikings” resolves this. It is possible to solve this problem and create a Byzantine army closer to what it would have been like in reality, by picking out the right counters from the various boxed games in the series [“Croisades” / “Outremer”, “Vikings”/ “Viking Raiders”, “Cry Havoc”, “Siege”]. Here then are the different elements of the Byzantine army during the Crusades. 

The Byzantine Army

The Basileus: The Basileus is the emperor of Byzantium. During the period of the first strategic scenario for “Croisades” [the Course of the Nile 1164-1168], Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180) presided over the destiny of the Empire. This man was, according to the orientalist Rene Grousset, one of the greatest rulers in the history of Byzantium. 
To represent the Basileus or the Grand Domestic (Commander-in-Chief of the Army) - Murda (heavy cavalry from “Croisades”).

The Varangian Guard: Originally formed from Swedish vikings settled in Russia (Varangians), this personal guard to the Basileus replaced the old Byzantine guard regiments in the second half of the 11th century. After 1066 it stopped recruiting in Russia and mainly recruited Anglo-Saxons fleeing Norman rule in England. The Huscarls and Hirdmen from “Vikings” best represent the Varangian guardsmen; the special rule on two-handed axes must be used, but not the [shieldwall] Huscarl combat formation rule.
Huscarls - Aelfwine, Aethelmund, Aethelred, Beorhtulf, Ceolred, Ecgbryht, Edgar, Edward, Hygeberht, Kola, Osmed, Tostig, Wulfgar; Hirdmen - Agnar, Ivar, Magnar, Skule, Torberg, Torgils, Torstein.

Klibanophoroi: These extra-heavy cavalrymen had both a coat of mail and scale armour, and their horses were protected by leather and scale armour. This troop type were last used in the Manzikert campaign (1071); they are only shown here for use in tactical scenarios and cannot be used in forces for strategic campaigns set during the Crusades. 
The Royal Mamluks from “Croisades” fit this group well - Abaga, Al-Kamil, El-Arish, Hakim, Maarat.

Kataphraktoi (heavy cavalry): Formed from the Byzantine aristocracy, the Kataphraktoi also wore scale asrmour and a mail coat. Westerners were contemptuous of these cavalrymen, estimating their military value as being closer to sergeants than knights. 
Their equipment was similar to that of their Syrian equivalents, so use Syrian heavy cavalry from “Croisades” - Ashok, Kukburi, Mohammed, Moonga, Nassim, Suejac.

Mercenary heavy cavalry: Many Western knights served in the Byzantine armies as mercenaries. Some of these men, such as the Norman Roussel de Bailleul, achieved considerable renown serving the Basileus… or betraying him!  [These mercenaries are referred to in most texts as the ‘Latinikon’]. The mercenaries were mostly Normans, coming in particular from the Kingdom of Sicily. 
Western [‘Frankish’] knights from “Cry Havoc” -  Sir Alain, Sir Gunter, Sir James, Sir Jacques, Sir John, Sir Peter, Sir Piers, Sir Roger, Sir Thomas, Sir William. 

Mercenary light cavalry (short bow): Formed from various steppe peoples (Alans, Cumans, Pechenegs, Turks, etc.), many horse archers served as mercenaries. Like the Normans they were not always loyal and could change sides during a battle. [They are referred to in most texts as the ‘Skythikon’.] 
Horse archers from “Croisades” - Arghun, Bar, Ruzzik, Yesugai, Ayub, Fakr, Imad, Mongka, Qutuz, Rashid, Usamah. 

Trapezitoi (light cavalry): These cavalrymen were unarmoured and their equipment was limited to a helmet, a buckler, a sword and a lance. 
Turcopoles from “Croisades” - Arnulf, Kamal, Merton, Mosul, Reuben, Tamara.

Skutatoi (heavy infantry): The Byzantine heavy infantry had scale armour or a coat of mail, helmet, buckler, sword and spear. No counters from the “Cry Havoc” series accurately represents this type of soldier; a solution is to use unarmoured spearmen counters but to treat them as being armoured.
Spearmen from “Siege” - Aki, Arnold, Brendan, Bryn, Gareth, Hayden, Mordred, Stori.

Peltastoi (light infantry): Unarmoured infantry was an increasingly important element in Byzantine infantry during the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. 
Ceorls from “Vikings”, ceorls with spears can be used as javelinmen - Aelfweard, Eadric, Godwine, Oswald, Ordheh (axe /sword); Aelfric, Aelmaer, Aethelberht, Eardwulf, Weohstan (spear/javelin).

Psiloi (archers): Unlike both western and muslim armies, the Byzantines ignored the crossbow. Viking and Saxon archers from “Vikings” will represent the Byzantine archers most effectively.
Archers - Gandalv, Gunnar, Hauk, Hvsing, Lodin, Reidar, Torfinn, Yngrar; Aelfgar, Aelle, Aldred, Cenwulf, Osric, Swithulf, Wulfroth.

Engineers, civilians and peasants: Engineers from “Siege” and “Croisades”; civilians and peasants from those games and “Cry Havoc”.

Special rules

1. Command: The Basileus is very often found at the head of the Byzantine armies, alternatively the Grand Domestic will be in command. He is assisted by Dukes (Dux) who lead contingents from the different "themes" (provinces) of the empire. To represent these Dux, use the kataphraktoi Ashok and Mohammed. The Guard Commander [Akolouthos = Acolyte] can be represented by Edmund (from “Vikings”). The navy was under the command of a grand admiral (Megas Dux).

2. Morale: One of the main characteristics of the Byzantine army during the Crusades was the poor morale of the native contingents. On the other hand, the mercenary troops (Varangian Guard, Franks, horse archers) had a relatively high morale. However, as a disadvantage, these troops could prove very unreliable when in combat against their own compatriots or if their wages had not been paid. The details of morale and command factors are shown on the table below.

Character	COMMAND	MORALE	
	Character class (C)	Range	Power	Level	
Basileus / Grand Domestic	C1	Commander-in-chief	12	25 x C2-3	11	
Dux / Akolouthos	C2	Noble	10	15 x C3-4	10	
Klibanophoroi	C3	Officer	08	10 x C4+	09	
Kataphractoi					08	
Varangian Guard	C4	NCO	06	 8 x C5+	10	
Mercenary Heavy Cavalry					10	
Mercenary Light Cavalry	C5	Regular			08	
Trapezitoi / Skutatoi					05	
Peltastoi					04	
Psiloi					03	
Engineer	C6	Irregular			03	
Civilian / Peasant					02	

Sources:-
Louis Bréhier: Vie et mort de Byzance, Albin Michel, Paris 1946
Ian Heath: Armies and enemies of the Crusades, 1978
Ian Heath: Byzantine Armies 886-1118, Osprey, Men-at-arms series, London 1979
George Ostrogorsky: Histoire de l’état byzantin, Pajot, Paris1983
A. Guillon: Le civilisation byzantine, Arthaud 1974

The author thanks Hervé Tardy for his advice on rules for command and morale. 
Christian Delabos runs the club Claymore-Normandie which publishes the fanzine ‘Claymore’. Claymore-Normandie address: 33 Rue de Cronstadt, 76300 Sotteville-les-Rouen, France.

2.	SUMMARY OF POINTS VALUES FOR BYZANTINES, by Bob Gingell

Name	PV mt/ft	Name	PV mt/ft	Name	PV	Name	PV	
Commanders
Murda
Ashok
Mohammed
Edmund
Klibanophoroi
Al-Kamil
Maarat
Hakim
Abaga
El-Arish
Kataphraktoi
Moonga
Suejac
Nassim
Kukburi
	
66
38
35
41

66
60
57
48
42

34
31
30
26
	
27
15
15
37

27
25
23
21
19

13
12
12
10
	Latinikon
Sir Jacques
Sir Roger, Peter
Sir Thomas
Sir Alain, William
Sir John
Sir Piers
Sir James
Sir Gunter
Skythikon
Yesugai, Ayub, Fakr
Imad
Mongka, Arghun
Ruzzik
Qutuz, Rashid
Usamah, Bar
Trapezitoi
Arnulf, Kamal
Merton
Reuben
Mosul
Tamara	
48
46
44
44
41
40
38
36

38
34
32
30
28
26

28
27
23
21
18	
21
21
21
20
18
19
18
17

17
14
14
12
12
12

12
11
10
  9
  8	Varangian: Axe
Aelfwine, Edward
Hygeberht
Ceolred
Wulfgar 
Skule
Aethelred
Varangian Gd
Ivar
Edgar, Agnar
Magnar
Beorhtulf
Aethelmund, Tostig Torberg, Torstein
Kola 
Osmed, Torgils
Ecgbryht
Skutatoi (A)
Brendan
Mordred
Arnold, Bryn, Gareth Hayden, Stori, Aki	
29
29
27
26
22
21

21
20
20
19
19
19
18
17
16

15
12
11
11	Peltastoi: Jav
Aelfric
Eardwulf
Aelmaer
Aethelberht
Weohstan
Peltastoi
Godwine, Oswald
Aelfweard, Ordheh
Eadric
Psiloi
Gunnar
Wulfroth
Gandalv, Cenwulf Osric, Swithulf
Torfinn
Aldred
Hauk, Yngrar
Hvsing, Aelfgar Reidar, Aelle
Lodin	
16
14
12
12
10

13
11
  9

22
21
19
19
18
17
16
15
14
13	

3.	SUPPLEMENTARY RULE: THE TWO-HANDED AXE, from “Vikings”
Only Anglo-Saxon and Viking characters carrying an axe can use this rule. Two other conditions must also be satisfied: the character must be on foot and in full health.  “Axe” markers are needed. At the time of starting the combats, the player concerned identifies those warriors who will attack using their axes with both hands. On each of them he places an axe marker in such a way that it can be clearly seen. The marked characters will have their attack strength doubled during the current combat phase. During the enemy player’s turn, the same characters will be treated as being in an unfavourable situation (-) if they are attacked, a disadvantage which is added to the calculation concerning the nature of the terrain (+, 0 or -). When a shooter takes one as a target, he subtracts 1 point from the die roll result before consulting the missile-fire results table. The protection given by armour remains. When his game turn comes round again, a player can decide to remove the axe marker from a character, or alternatively to leave it. If the axe marker is removed, the character’s attack strength returns to normal and he no longer suffers any of the defence disadvantages (for missile-fire and combat) consequent on the method of fighting.

[Note that the points values given above for Varangian Guardsmen with two-handed axe are based on a formula of 2x Attack (ATT) + ½x Defence (DEF), raising ATT for doubled attack but reducing DEF for vulnerability in defence. Christian Delabos in Claymore #2 had originally proposed 2x ATT + 1x DEF.]

4.	THE ARMENIAN ARMY, by Bob Gingell
“Croisades” treats the Byzantine army, required for Strategic Scenario No. 1, as being identical to the Armenian army required for Strategic Scenarios No. 3 and No. 4 (which have no Byzantine player). The suggested composition of both armies is a free choice from characters in “Cry Havoc” and “Siege”, with recourse to “Croisades” only when the first two run out. This approach is slightly more accurate for Armenian armies than it is for Byzantine armies, but it still does not capture the flavour of the area known as Lesser Armenia or Cilician Armenia. 

Armenia was a minor state sandwiched between the major states, which retained its independence by playing off one side against another. At different times it provided mercenaries both to the Crusader States and to the Seljuk Turks, and it allied to the Mongols (as is shown in the supplementary strategic scenario ‘The Last Crusade’, published in Claymore #11).

The armies of Cilician Armenia in the 13th century were influenced by both West and East, and were primarily armoured cavalry and unarmoured foot, with a few allies providing unarmoured horsemen and mercenaries providing knights and armoured foot. 

King Philip II from “Croisades” can represent the King; Grast and Hohmley, Aldus, Dill and Evans from “Dragon Noir” can be Barons and Officers.

Armoured cavalry can be represented by the lesser armoured knights from “Dragon Noir” and the Syrian cavalry from “Croisades”: Aldus, Dill, Evans, Gustav, Matt, Paul, Roberts; Ashok, Kukburi, Moonga, Mohammed, Nassim, Suejac. [In “Dark Blades” Aldus = Ceebey, Gustav = MacKandy, Paul = Leigh.]

[Note: Rough conversion from “Dark Blades”: all armoured; increase defence strengths of 6 and below healthy by +2, and 4 and below wounded by +1; increase attack strengths of all wounded foot by +1.]

[As an alternative to using the armoured mounted characters from “Dragon Noir”, the armoured riders from “Vikings” could be used. These are less ideal to represent the Armenian cavalrymen because they are generally stronger, but are handy since (except for Edmund, who is the Varangian commander for the Byzantines) they are not otherwise used for the era of the Crusades: Edwin, Eirik (barons); Coelmund, Svein, Sigurd (nobles); Aethelwulf, Tor, Edmund, Wulfric. Those armed with axes cannot use the “Vikings” rules for two-handed axes.]

Unarmoured spearmen are closest to the spear-carrying Ceorls and Bondi from “Vikings” [the ceorls are also used as Armenian auxiliaries in the Mongol Army extension]; plus spearmen from “Cry Havoc” and “Siege”: Aelfric, Aelmaer, Aethelbehrt, Eardwulf, Weohstan; Domar, Glum, Torleik, Yngve; Mark, Ben, Bertin, Crispin, Hal, Odo, Perkin, Wat; Aki, Arnold, Brendan, Bryn, Gareth, Hayden, Mordred, Stori. 

Unarmoured shortbowmen can be represented by the Bowmen from “Vikings”: Aelfgar, Aelle, Aldred, Cenwulf, Osric, Swithulf, Wulfroth; Gandalv, Gunnar, Hauk, Hvsing, Lodin, Reidar, Torfinn, Yngrar.

Bedouin allies cannot command other troops, and are not subject to out-of-command restrictions. Use the 6 Bedouins from “Croisades”: Al-Ashraf, Ismail, Kitbuga, Mehmut, Rukn, Thatoul.

Frankish mercenaries can be represented by the 3 Knights, the 3 Armoured Halbardiers from “Siege” and 3 of the Armoured Crossbowmen from “Cry Havoc”: Sir Fitzwaren, Sir Mortimer, Sir Hughs; Bors, Evans, Fursa; Arbalister, Denys, Nicholas. Note: Mercenary knights only command other mercenaries.

Peasants and civilians can be represented by any from “Cry Havoc”, “Siege” or “Vikings”; women should normally have a movement allowance of 8 (4 if wounded). 

Command and morale

Character	COMMAND	MORALE	
	Character class (C)	Range	Power	Level	
King	C1	Commander-in-chief	12	25 x C2-3	15	
Baron	C2	Noble	10	15 x C3-4	12	
Elite Heavy Cavalry	C3	Officer	08	10 x C4+	10	
Heavy Cavalry 	C4	NCO	06	 8 x C5+	09	
Mercenary Knight					10	
Bedouin					06	
Mercenary Foot	C5	Regular			07	
Spearman, Merc. Crossbow					05	
Archer					04	
Peasant	C6	Irregular			02	
Civilian					01	

Summary of points values

Name	PV mt/ft	Name	PV mt/ft	Name	PV	Name	PV	
Commanders
King Philip II
Grast
Hohmley
Heavy cavalry
Aldus (noble)
Evans (noble)
Dill (noble)
Matt
Paul
Roberts
Gustav
Ashok
Mohammed
Moonga
Suejac
Nassim
Kukburi	
54
48
44

42
39
36
34
30
30
29
38
35
34
31
30
26	
23
20
21

18
17
16
15
14
13
13
15
15
13
12
12
10	Bedouins
Al-Ashraf
Kitbuga
Rukn
Ismail
Thatoul
Mehmut
Franks (A)
Sir Mortimer
Sir Fitzwaren
Sir Hughs
Bors
Fursa
Evans
Nicolas
Arbalister
Denys	
23
20
18
17
14
13

43
42
40	
10
  8
  7
  7
  6
  6

18
19
17
20
19
18
32
31
27	Spearmen (U)
Tybalt
Guy, Rees, Robin 
Jean, Bertin
Brendan, Crispin 
Hal
Ben, Mark. Odo
Perkin, Wat, Aelfric
Mordred, Eardwulf
Aethelberht 
Glum, Yngve
Arnold, Bryn, Gareth Hayden, Stori, Aki
Aelmaer, Weohstan
Torleik
Domar	
14
13
12
11
11
10
10
  9
  9
  9
  8
  8
  8
  6
  4	Archers
Gunnar
Wulfroth
Gandalv
Cenwulf Osric
Swithulf
Torfinn
Aldred
Hauk
Yngrar
Hvsing
Aelfgar Reidar
Aelle
Lodin	
22
21
19
19
19
19
18
17
16
16
15
15
14
14
13	
Alternative 
heavy cavalry
Edwin (baron)
Eirik (baron)	

51
50	

27
27	Coelmund (noble)
Svein (noble)
Sigurd (noble)
Aethelwulf	49
48
47
44	26
26
25
25	Tor
Edmund
Wulfric	47
41
42	23
23
21	

5.	THE BATTLE OF MANZIKERT August 1071 (LA BATAILLE DE MANZIKERT)
“Croisades” (“Outremer”) and “Vikings” (“Viking Raiders”) + Crossroads and Open Field maps: scenario by Fabrice Renier. 

Setting the scene
In 1071, taking advantage of an attack by the Seljuks on the Fatimid state of Damascus and Egypt, the Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes launched an undertaking to recover the territories of Armenia that had been lost to Byzantium. He prepared an army of 200-600,000 men (different sources vary as to the numbers). Whatever the numbers, these men were poorly trained and had little discipline. In addition most were non-combatants (engineers, servants, administrators). Discovering the Byzantine advance, the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan force-marched immediately to intercept the Byzantine army. 

On the day of the battle the army of Romanus IV amounted to a little over 100,000 men, and that of Alp Arslan 15,000-40,000 depending on the sources. The Byzantine army was organised in 3 divisions, with the Emperor in the centre, and it moved forward towards the Seljuk camp. The Byzantines encountered little resistance, and the Emperor became afraid that they would fall into a trap; so he ordered a retreat towards his own camp. Unfortunately, through incompetence or by chance of fate, his order was misinterpreted and the rumour spread that Romanus had been killed. Panic set in: the two wings dissolved and the Reserve fled. The Emperor remained on his own in the centre with his Varangian Guard which had to face the charge of 10,000 Seljuk cavalry led by Alp Arslan himself... This scenario represents the final combat of the battle: the Emperor and his guard determined to sell their lives dearly, but after a tough resistance Romanus IV was captured by a Turkish Mamluk.

Manzikert was one of the worst defeats the Byzantine Empire had known. The consequences of that reverse were dramatic: a permanent Seljuk state was from then on established in Anatolia, the frontier defence disintegrated, and the heirs of Romanus IV unleashed a terrible civil war in the heart of the Empire.

Map layout: The Crossroads and The Open Field with sides 6 and 3 together. [Instead of The Open Field supplementary map, any map could be used with all hexes except scrub treated as flat terrain.] 

The sides
The Seljuk Turks - Alp Arslan: As-Salih;  Heavy Cavalry: Kilij;  
Horse archers: Arghun, Ayub, Bar, Fakr, Imad, Qutuz, Mongka, Rashid, Ruzzik, Usamah, Yesugai; 
Light Mamluks: Baha, Fa'iz, Rashid, Taki, Vezelay, Yaghi; 
Bedouins: Al-Ashraf, Ismail, Kitbuqa, Mehmet, Rukn, Thatoul.

The Byzantines - Romanus IV Diogenes: Murda;  Klibanophoroi (extra-heavy cavalry): Hakim, Maarat; 
Varangian Guard (from Viking Raiders/Vikings), armoured: 
- Huscarls: Aelfwine, Aethelmund, Aethelred, Beorhtulf, Ceolred, Ecgbryht, Edgar, Edward, Hygeberht, Kola, Osmed, Tostig, Wulfgar; 
- Hirdmen: Agnar, Ivar, Magnar, Skule, Torberg, Torgils, Torstein;  
Psiloi (archers): Reidar, Lodin.

Starting positions: The Byzantines are placed first in the centre sections of the board (anywhere within the right side of Crossroads and left side of Open Field). The Emperor and his cavalrymen must be surrounded by the Varangian Guard. The Seljuks start the game by entering through any one or more map edges.

Victory conditions: The Turkish player must capture the Emperor. If Romanus IV is attacked by 6 against 1, the Seljuk player will capture him automatically. The Emperor cannot leave the board.

6.	OTHER SCENARIOS INVOLVING BYZANTINES

1)	“The Blachernae Palace” from Claymore #11
2)	“The Revolt of Nicosia” from Claymore #12

Both of the above use the Fortified Medieval Town map set and are published separately with the group of ‘Town Scenarios’. 

History: Version 1.4 May 2000 added the Armenian army; version 1.5 added armoured mounted characters from “Vikings” as an alternative way to represent Armenian heavy cavalry.

RDG: BYZARMY Extension version 1.5, December 2002