How Greeks Defended the Byzantine Empire Against Invaders

The Byzantine Empire, the Roman Empire’s continuation in the East, faced countless, relentless threats from invaders throughout its millennium-long existence. This forced many Greeks to employ genius tactics to defend the Empire.

Greeks were the Byzantine Empire’s central populace, holding definitive governance over the Eastern Mediterranean. During that era, however, the populace identified not as Greek in national terms but as Roman.

The Greeks were crucial in defending the Byzantine Empire against foreign threats. They utilized innovative strategies and advanced military technologies for their era, along with a deep understanding of diplomacy, which they used to the Byzantines’ advantage on multiple occasions.

Defending the Byzantine Empire: The Greeks and their ingenuity

One of the most significant contributions of the Greeks to Byzantine defense was its unparalleled fortification systems.

For example, the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople were constructed in the 5th century AD and were among the strongest and most formidable in history.

These triple-layered walls were supported by a wide moat and stood tall and firm as an impregnable barrier against numerous enemies who attempted long sieges to make the Empire succumb, including those by the Avars, Arabs, and even the Ottomans.

These walls lasted for centuries with minimal additions and repairs, making them exceptional.

The Greeks fortified key cities and harbors across the empire, particularly in metropolitan Greece, not just Constantinople. This ensured that strategic locations could withstand prolonged assaults and survive potential attacks.

The Byzantine military was particularly sophisticated. It had the advantage of combining centuries-old Roman traditions with Greek ingenuity, making it formidable during wartime.

Infantry formations, such as the Macedonian “phalanx,” were adapted to become more flexible and responsive on the battlefield; nonetheless, their core functions remained similar to those of Alexander the Great’s army.

The battlefields

Heavy infantry units, such as the ”skutatoi” with their ”toxotai”, operated alongside other elite cavalry units.

One particular example was the ”cataphracts,” which originated from Persia.

The combination of these two created a military force that was capable of flexible fighting with quick results in favor of the Byzantines. The Byzantine army’s ability to execute complex maneuvers was a key feature that distinguished them on the battlefield.

Nautical prowess was another area where Byzantines excelled, particularly due to the long tradition of the Greeks and their ability to conquer the seas. The deployment of “Greek Fire,” for example, was truly revolutionary.

Greek fire was a flammable liquid weapon that could burn even on water, leaving an indelible mark on the history of medieval warfare.

This weapon allowed Byzantine fleets to repel Arab naval invasion attempts on multiple occasions and secure dominance over geostrategically critical areas.

Administrative division

Under Emperor Heraclius, the Greeks introduced another element that significantly supported the Byzantine Empire in its defense efforts. This was the “theme system,” a decentralized military-administrative structure that offered Byzantine authorities the necessary flexibility to make swift decisions.

Land-owning soldiers were then settled in districts (the so-called themes) and were tasked with a clear mission: to defend their regions and, therefore, the territorial integrity of the Byzantine authority.

This system helped the Empire minimize national defense costs while promoting a more localized approach, wherein invaders would be confronted at a local level. This method remained effective for centuries until it eventually declined as the Byzantine Empire began to lose its former glory.

However, beyond military might, the Greek defenders of the Byzantine Empire relied heavily on diplomacy as well to outmaneuver their enemies.

Greek leaders often used conventional and unconventional methods to achieve their goals. Bribes, alliances, and treaties turned potential enemies or even invaders into allies.

Another successful diplomatic maneuver of the Byzantines was to pit enemies against one another, weakening them and leaving the Byzantine Empire safe. This smart and pragmatic approach saved the Byzantines money and bought time to address threats more strategically.

Related: The Mysterious Greek Fire Weapon of the Byzantine Empire