"Byzantine Military Equipment in Kappadokian Murals" Topic

The Depiction of Byzantine Military Equipment in Kappadokian Murals by Steven Lowe

Some of the most interesting depictions of Byzantine military equipment dated to the mid 10th century AD, are in the , carved into the side of a cliff, with the entrance high off the ground: 10 soldiers of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and 2 donors on horseback (the images are missing from 2 un-named saints); An Unknown Military Saint with round shield; Joshua and the Archangel Michael in Dovecote Church and other Unknown Military Saints

I have mentioned before the Hidden Church (Sakli Kilise) Cappadocia, Turkey, showing Byzantine soldiers, by Steven Lowe

These illustrations from the provinces, rather than the capital, may give a better indication of Byzantine equipment used in the field.

Druzhina
Byzantine Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Great stuff :-)
Thanks!

Good stuff, Druzhina!
Many seem to be wearing off white trousers, perhaps undyed linen or wool, which would be cheaper than brightly dyed fabric. Cooler in the Anatolian summer, too, I suppose.

The less expensive colors and the pictures being from the provinces make me think these might be thematic soldiers, rather than soldiers from the tagmata regiments from Constantinople. Having read Toynbee's account of the Empire at the time of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, I'm a fan of the themata, and would like to model them.

I haven't figured out why so many of them have pale leather boots.

Grelber

My wife and I honeymooned in Turkey in 2007. Our tour took us to Goreme where, of course, the tour guide wanted us to see only the lower level cave churches. I however being a wargamer and having studied where the best military representations were, went off line and climbed up to what is called the Dark Cave (steep hike. Don't think I could do it now). It was incredible with 10th century murals most containing Byzantine military figures almost perfectly preserved since direct sunlight did not make it into the cave to fade the murals. It was like stepping back to the 10th Century. The tour guide was of course not thrilled with my off line antics, but what the hell. It was my honeymoon. :-)