Moira (military)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moira ( Greek μοίρα) was a tactical unit of the Byzantine army . The moira was commanded by a moirarch, also known as doux or chiliarch .

A moira consisted of several banda and could have a strength of up to 2,000 to 3,000 men (see Strategikon des Maurikios I 3 [Dennis, pp. 14-16]).

Three moiras formed a cavalry Meros . The middle moira comprised two thirds of the strength of the respective meros and is set up in a closed formation (defensores). This moira was commanded directly by the Merarch. The two moira on the flanks were set up in an open formation (koursores).

It should be noted that the aforementioned information about the strength of the Moira only relates to the maximum size of a Moira. Since the size of a moira ultimately depends on the size of the entire army, there can be considerable differences between the individual moira. The Moira of the Defensores each make up 2/3 of the strength of the respective Meros, while the two Moira of the Koursores each make up 1/6 of the Meros. Furthermore, Moira and Meros have different crew strengths depending on the battle line in which they were positioned. (see Strategikon III 8-10 [Dennis, pp. 43–45])

From the 9th century at the latest, the term droungos for the moira became established.

swell

  • Maurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy . Translated by George T. Dennis. Philadelphia 1984, reprinted 2001.
  • The Taktika of Leo VI: Text, Translation, and Commentary (Dumbarton Oaks Texts) . Translated by George T. Dennis first edition 2010.