Menaulion
Encyclopedia
The menaulion or menavlion , also menaulon or menavlon (μέναυλον) was a heavy spear
with a length of 2.7 to 3.6 meters with a thick shaft, used by the Byzantine
infantry as early as the 10th century AD, against enemy heavy cavalry
. To give it increased strength, whole oak or cornel saplings were preferably used. These were then tipped with a long blade of ca. 45-50 cm.
Its use is attested by emperor Nikephoros Phokas
in his treatise Praecepta Militaria
, and by Nikephoros Ouranos
and Leo VI the Wise
in their Taktika. It is also described in the 10th-century treatise known as the Sylloge Tacticorum. The men who were carrying the menaulia (menaulatoi, sing. menaulatos) were deployed behind the battle line and were only ordered to advance in front before the enemy cavalry charge. They seem to have arrayed in a thin line directly in front of the first rank of the battle line, although the Sylloge Tacticorum has the menaulatoi forming well before it, a tactic strongly condemned by Nikephoros Phokas. Another proposed deployment was obliquely on the flanks of a friendly infantry formation, along with javelineers, in an attempt to directly attack the flanks of the advancing enemy. They also deployed in the intervals between the heavy infantry formations of the Byzantine line along with light infantry to guard against enemy exploitation attempts. Within the encampment, they were positioned at the exits.
In his work De Ceremoniis
, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus orders great numbers of menaulia to be produced.
It has been proposed that the vinavlon mentioned in the 6th century AD by John Malalas
in the sixth book of his Chronographia
is an archaic form of the same weapon, although in Malalas' text it is carried by cavalrymen.
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
with a length of 2.7 to 3.6 meters with a thick shaft, used by the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
infantry as early as the 10th century AD, against enemy heavy cavalry
Heavy cavalry
Heavy cavalry is a class of cavalry whose primary role was to engage in direct combat with enemy forces . Although their equipment differed greatly depending on the region and historical period, they were generally mounted on large powerful horses, and were often equipped with some form of scale,...
. To give it increased strength, whole oak or cornel saplings were preferably used. These were then tipped with a long blade of ca. 45-50 cm.
Its use is attested by emperor Nikephoros Phokas
Nikephoros Phokas
Nikephoros Phokas refers to:*Nikephoros Phokas the Elder, an eminent Byzantine general, grandfather of emperor Nikephoros II Phokas*Nikephoros II Phokas, Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969*Nikiforos Fokas, a municipality in Greece...
in his treatise Praecepta Militaria
Praecepta Militaria
The Praecepta Militaria is the Latin conventional title given to a Byzantine military treatise, written in ca. 965 by or on behalf of Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros Phokas...
, and by Nikephoros Ouranos
Nikephoros Ouranos
Nikephoros Ouranos was a high-ranking Byzantine official and general during the reign of Emperor Basil II. One of the emperor's closest associates, he was active in Europe in the wars against the Bulgarians, scoring a major victory at Spercheios, and against the Arabs in Syria, where he held...
and Leo VI the Wise
Leo VI the Wise
Leo VI, surnamed the Wise or the Philosopher , was Byzantine emperor from 886 to 912. The second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty , he was very well-read, leading to his surname...
in their Taktika. It is also described in the 10th-century treatise known as the Sylloge Tacticorum. The men who were carrying the menaulia (menaulatoi, sing. menaulatos) were deployed behind the battle line and were only ordered to advance in front before the enemy cavalry charge. They seem to have arrayed in a thin line directly in front of the first rank of the battle line, although the Sylloge Tacticorum has the menaulatoi forming well before it, a tactic strongly condemned by Nikephoros Phokas. Another proposed deployment was obliquely on the flanks of a friendly infantry formation, along with javelineers, in an attempt to directly attack the flanks of the advancing enemy. They also deployed in the intervals between the heavy infantry formations of the Byzantine line along with light infantry to guard against enemy exploitation attempts. Within the encampment, they were positioned at the exits.
In his work De Ceremoniis
De Ceremoniis
De Ceremoniis is the Latin title of a description of ceremonial protocol at the court of the Eastern Roman emperor in Constantinople. It is sometimes called De ceremoniis aulae byzantinae...
, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus orders great numbers of menaulia to be produced.
It has been proposed that the vinavlon mentioned in the 6th century AD by John Malalas
John Malalas
John Malalas or Ioannes Malalas was a Greek chronicler from Antioch. Malalas is probably a Syriac word for "rhetor", "orator"; it is first applied to him by John of Damascus .-Life:Malalas was educated in Antioch, and probably was a jurist there, but moved to...
in the sixth book of his Chronographia
Chronographia
Chronographia meaning "description of time", or chronicle, in sense of historical account, can refer to:* Chronographia of Theophanes, work covering events from the accession of Diocletian in 284 to the downfall of Michael I Rhangabes in 813* Most prominent, unfinished work by Michael Psellos,...
is an archaic form of the same weapon, although in Malalas' text it is carried by cavalrymen.