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One of the most heart-wrecking tales in the Alexiad has to be that of the Archontopouloi.
After the disastrous Battle of Mantzikert, the Byzantine Empire lost Anatolia, it's main recruitment ground for cavalry. To compensate for this, Emperor Alexios Komnenos drew inspiration from Ancient Athenian History and started taking under his wing the orphaned sons of Byzantine officers who had died in battle, raising them himself and training them in the use of arms of war. From them he formed a 2000 strong, elite cavalry corps "whose beards had barely began to grow (They were eligible to serve from the age of 16), but were irresistible in attack" (Anna Komnene).
Alexios named them "Archontopouloi", meaning "sons of lords", so that "by their name they would remember their parents' sacrifice, and aim at impetuous valour and prove themselves brave when circumstances demanded daring and strength." They would honor their name, showing undying loyalty and love to their surrogate father and a burning hatred for the enemies of the empire. During a battle with the Pechenegs, the Archontopouloi fell into an ambush but they refused to break ranks, bearing the full onslaught of the enemy. 300 out of the 2000 fell in battle:
"The Emperor grieved loudly for them, shedding bitter tears and calling each by name to come back to him as if they had merely departed for a journey"
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.
.
On another note, I got tired of digital drawings. I will try to color the same sketch with watercolors and see which turns out better.
After the disastrous Battle of Mantzikert, the Byzantine Empire lost Anatolia, it's main recruitment ground for cavalry. To compensate for this, Emperor Alexios Komnenos drew inspiration from Ancient Athenian History and started taking under his wing the orphaned sons of Byzantine officers who had died in battle, raising them himself and training them in the use of arms of war. From them he formed a 2000 strong, elite cavalry corps "whose beards had barely began to grow (They were eligible to serve from the age of 16), but were irresistible in attack" (Anna Komnene).
Alexios named them "Archontopouloi", meaning "sons of lords", so that "by their name they would remember their parents' sacrifice, and aim at impetuous valour and prove themselves brave when circumstances demanded daring and strength." They would honor their name, showing undying loyalty and love to their surrogate father and a burning hatred for the enemies of the empire. During a battle with the Pechenegs, the Archontopouloi fell into an ambush but they refused to break ranks, bearing the full onslaught of the enemy. 300 out of the 2000 fell in battle:
"The Emperor grieved loudly for them, shedding bitter tears and calling each by name to come back to him as if they had merely departed for a journey"
.
.
.
On another note, I got tired of digital drawings. I will try to color the same sketch with watercolors and see which turns out better.
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Rome was so close to winning this battle too...