The Byzantine-Muslim frontier in Anatolia, guarded by the Akritai.Credit: Cplakidas / Wikimedia Commons
Posted on 03/08/2025 9:08:59 PM PST by SunkenCiv
In the article dedicated to the Mardaites, the Christian highlanders who maintained their autonomy between Byzantium and the Caliphate, we mentioned the Akritai (or Akritoi), a group of light infantry soldiers who guarded the eastern frontiers of the Byzantine Empire...they were recruited from the region's peasants, provided they were of Hellenic origin; Armenians were also included... These were free men who, as mentioned earlier, cultivated the farms granted to them... An alternative view identifies them more as landowners rather than laborers, meaning they did not personally work the land but had workers for that purpose. Some even amassed large estates and could be considered forerunners of feudal lords...
The Akritai experienced their greatest moment of glory, halting the advance of the Saracens and intervening in the internal political conflicts of the periphery, between the 7th and 10th centuries. From the latter, they began to decline due to Emperor Michael Palaiologos, who, in need of money to pay his regular army (a significant portion of which was mercenary), abolished those institutions that were exempt from taxes. Additionally, the Byzantine expansion eastward required a restructuring of the administrative division, with a greater number of thémas defended by professional troops, the tagmata, commanded by duces.
During the first half of the 11th century, as the eastern part of the empire experienced a period of calm, military vigilance weakened, and the Seljuk Turks took advantage of this to expand across Asia Minor. Many former akritai, now lacking motivation, became indifferent, while others, outraged by their dismissal, joined the invaders. The situation became so dangerous that, in the 12th century, Manuel Komnenos I restored the Akritai, reinstating their tax privileges and granting them land to defend the western part of Asia Minor, which he had managed to reconquer.
(Excerpt) Read more at labrujulaverde.com ...
The Byzantine-Muslim frontier in Anatolia, guarded by the Akritai.Credit: Cplakidas / Wikimedia Commons
The Akita soldiers? That is a cool breed.
Thanks, I have not been able too watch the whole series in order but have loved what I have seen.
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