Continious struggle...

In order to maintain all the lands that its precessor once controlled, Byzantium had to put all its forces in one direction : to defend. Roman army's only goal was to conquer. On the contrary, Byzantine army was in a decisive position. Barbarians from all over saw a great opportunity in the Byzantium, due to its richness and fertility.

Byzantine Army took several foms during its long history - from Roman legions to feudal armies in the late Middle Ages. Because of its position, the Empire had to maintain strong and large fleet in order to control the seas. The most important of all was the Mediteranean sea because it has been the central communication and trade line between distant Byzantine provinces.

Byzantine army
	Byzantine legions and infantry Byzantine cavalry Walls of Constantinoples - the defending system The Navy (the war fleet) and important naval centres Naval chain of command Duties of crew the Warship Naval battles the Greek Fire Financing
Byzantine seas
	Important Byzantine ports during centuries Commercial fleet
Military position during centuries
	An Army during the Macedonian Dynasty Military threats in the 11th century The emergence of the crusades during reign of Alexius I Comnenus
	Greek Rising and Liberation - 1821 suggested books for further information