Differences Of The Western And Eastern Roman Empire Military.

[Marcus Julius]

What where the differences of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire armies? Did they use the same military tactics and equipment, or where they completly different?

 

And also, did they resemble the armies of the Empire, while it was still intact (or not separated, not sure how I should say that).

[Favonius Cornelius]

By the time the empire split, you were already beginning to see what later would become Byzantium from the Eastern Empire. The Western Empire could still call on the solid stock of men from the Dalmatian and Pannonian areas, as well as Gaul and Iberia. Thus the rank and file of the legions and limitani could probably be expected to be a bit tougher in the west. In the east they drew their quality men probably mostly from Moesia, but then the rest from places like Asia Minor to Syria, which did not breed the toughest of men with the exception of perhaps Cilicia.

 

When you consider the tactical requirements of each empire, you see clearly why each carried out war as it did. In the west they faced the Caledonians in Britannia, and the Franks and other Germanic tribes across the Rhine who stressed the martial prowess of their warriors in hand to hand combat. Also considering the terrain of forests, mountains and hills, the western specialized mostly in infantry warfare.

 

The Eastern Empire on the other hand had to face the Goths and the Persians, both of whom were great cavalry warriors, so in the east you see a heavy stress on cavalry. The archers of the eastern nations beyond the empire also left their imprint on the Eastern Empire, for it is from there you get the best archers.

 

So, in the west solid infantry much as it always had been from the beginning, with the east being more flexible with better cavalry and archers.

[Tobias]

As well as the above, the evolvement of Eastern arms to resemble the weaponry of the east occurred. The gladius gave way to eastern style curved sabres or normal swords, as well as scale armour. As well, the heavy Cataphract came into being, the East having access to the greatest horse breeders in the known world.