Battles of the Byzantines

Using 36 Ancient Battles for Dominion of the Spear

More Dominium ancient battles. Our theme this time is Byzantines.

Summary

Here are the results of the Byzantine battles. Numbers represent remaining units at the end of the battle. Brief battle reports are below.

• Dara (530) - Sassanid Persians 2, Byzantines 1
• Taginae (552) - Byzantines 3, Ostrogoths 1
• Yarmouk (636) - Arabs 2, Byzantines 1
• Manzikert (1071) - Seljuk Turks 4, Byzantines 1

Some close battles but not much luck for the Byzantines.

Dara

The elite cavalry wipe each other out.

Both sides slowly whittle the others down. The Byzantine archers clear the center but the Sassanid spearmen rout the cavalry (right).

The spears then flank and assault the archers, winning the day for the Persians.

Taginae

The Ostrogoth's fierce cavalry smash the front line. It looks like it's going to be another bad day for the Empire.

But Byzantine missiles strike down the enemy cavalry.

The Byzantine archers then flank the Ostrogoth reserve spears, sending them in flight. General Narses pulls a victory from seeming defeat!

Yarmouk

The lines clash. Great quantities of blood are spilled. Note: I don't know if I ever had 4 units lost in 1 turn!

While the cavalry (left) wipe each other out, the Arab's fanatical spears rout their Byzantine counterparts.

The Arab spears then smash the Byzantine reserve for the victory.

Manzikert

The Turkish horse archers on the left slowly wear down the Byzantines, draining their reserve,

Then the battle comes down to this - elite cavalry for both sides. The Turks prevail.