How the Ottomans Changed Byzantine Army and Warfare

The final century of Byzantium was characterised by the growing power of the Ottoman Turks. In my presentation, I investigate how this was reflected in the last phase of the Eastern Roman army and warfare. I argue that the Ottomans, along with other Turks, had a significant direct and indirect impact in this regard. The Ottomans were frequently employed in Byzantine conflicts as powerful and readily available, albeit dangerous, allies. Byzantines also served as vassals within Ottoman armies, and horse-archery gained a greater role among the Byzantine elite. As Byzantium lost its hinterland to the Ottomans, the fleet and naval warfare assumed greater importance than before. The emperor even employed his own janissaries, and it is possible that certain reform efforts were modelled on Ottoman practices.