Byzantine military structure

The Byzantine military was a highly organized, hierarchical system with a central command and specialized units. The core was the tagma, large professional armies led by commanders known as strategoi. Units like the cataphracts (heavy cavalry) and infantry formed the backbone, supported by elite units called the scholae. The military also relied on fortifications, local militias, and a detailed logistics network. Command structures emphasized discipline, mobility, and adaptability, allowing the Byzantines to defend their empire effectively against diverse enemies over centuries.