After the recapture of Constantinople, Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos was determined to bring glory back to the Byzantine Empire. To achieve this, he established an Imperial Fleet and raised new regiments of elite marine troops. This work provides a comprehensive, illustrated guide to the unit history and appearance of these men, who were at the cutting edge of the last great flourish of Byzantine naval power. They won victory after victory in campaigns throughout the 1260s-70s, and though successive periods of decline and partial resurrection followed, these marine units survived until the very last flickers of Byzantine resistance were extinguished. Drawing upon early literary sources, the rich evidence of period illuminated manuscripts, frescoes and other iconography, Raffaele D'Amato details the lasting legacy of the swansong of Byzantine naval power.

Raffaele D'Amato is a Turin-based researcher of ancient and medieval military. After achieving his first PhD in Romano-Byzantine Law, he gained a second doctorate in Roman military archaeology. He is the vice-head of the Laboratory of the Danubian Provinces at the University of Ferrara.
Igor Aksent Jevich Dzis studied in Crimea and Moscow. He has worked on historical films, and has illustrated military historical subjects for international publications. He currently lives in Crimea.
Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by educational magazines such as Look and Learn, he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and model-maker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Introduction /Chronology /The Regiments: the Gazmouloi, the marine Tzakones, and the Proeselentai /Provincial fleets /Fleet of the 'Trebizond empire' /Unit structure and organization, character and social role /Dress, equipment, armour and weapons /Flags and blazons /Ships /Bibliography /Glossary /Plate commentaries /Index