|
Post by barritus on Dec 15, 2019 4:24:27 GMT
Proposal:
III/4 Early Byzantine army list archers can be Ps or 3/4Bw.
Rationale:
Currently archers in the Early Byzantine list can only be Ps.
This seems highly suspect because;
1. ALL Eastern Roman armies from II/56 EIR onwards can deploy their archers as either Ps or 4Bw.
2. Pretty much every Byzantine army with the singular exception of Early Byzantine can deploy their archers as 3/4/8Bw (depending on which army).
3. The Early Byzantine DBMM list allows their Ps to be deployed as Ps or 3Bw.
So we have a situation that for well over a 1000 years 'Eastern Roman/Byzantine' armies could deploy their archers as Bw with the singular exception of the Early Byzantines. Given the sparseness of evidence in this period one can only wonder as to how this is a reasonable determination.
Personally I feel that they should be allowed the option to be 3Bw (based on the DBMM list - interestingly Early Lombard and Italian Ostrogoth - contemporary enemies of the Early Byz - can both deploy 3Bw archers, just as they can in the DBMM lists - so their is an anomaly here). Furthermore I'd allow the option of 4Bw as both the preceeding Eastern Patrician list (II/82) and the succeeding Maurikian Byz list (III/17) give the option of deploying their archers as 4Bw or Ps.
cheers
Barritus
|
|
|
Post by Haardrada on Dec 25, 2019 10:23:55 GMT
Hi Barritus I feel your pain as I have an army suitable for this period on my "to paint" pile and support your query.Maybe it's only a mere list omission?
Maybe you should also post this on the DBA.3.0 thread as it is a question about the army lists.
|
|
|
Post by timurilank on Dec 25, 2019 12:03:47 GMT
There are a number of points which address the deployment of archers as psiloi or toxotoi, (open order or formed archer units). Early Byzantine tactics emphasised the use of cavalry who were in fact dual armed with bow and lance.
The army list has the option to field all Cv or LH with the latter offering greater mobility and operation beyond standard command/control distance. When present with infantry formations, they were deployed forward of the assaulting infantry or at their rear and render support fire.
There is mention in Maurice’s Strategikon of archers deploying separate from their parent unit to support the cavalry and in this role, psiloi are ideally suited for this. Nomad Arab, Sabir or Lombard allies can supply other archer types (3Bw or 4Bw) if needed.
|
|