04-21-2007, 09:51 AM
Quote:So what Byzantine flags were used prior to the the Paleologues? If they were not double headed eagles what were they? Crosses are a good bet but do we have any evidence? No eagle flags are depicted in the Skylites as far as I know. Is there anything earlier? I will try to attach the Palaeologi double-headed eagle featuring the sympilema (the family cypher) (of the Palaeologus dynasty from a church mural dated to the 14th century.
Peter,
I have an academic paper somewhere at home which deals with this in detail. It's about 40 pages long, with LOTS of pictures at the end. I'll see if I can search it up.
Note also that even before the Palaeologoi, the eagle was a common motif in Byzantine art, even if not on Imperial banners. But it only had a single head. (I have pictures)
BTW, apart from secondary and tertiary sources on the Net, what is the evidence for the red flag being a battle banner? This is the first I've heard of it. The flag that seems to be most common in battle pics from the late Byzantine period is the one with multiple letter "B"s on it.
Theodosius, there are PLENTY of Byzantine representations of military saints in scale armour. Plenty in lamellar as well. The armour Basil II is wearing is lamellar, of an unusual type. I have a better detailed pic, and the laces are quite clear.
"It is safer and more advantageous to overcome the enemy by planning and generalship than by sheer force"
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia