When the hired sword becomes the conqueror of the realm
In short: The Byzantine Empire faced a crisis of defense that led them to hire the most dangerous soldiers in Europe. This video explores how these mercenaries pivoted from defenders against the Turks to the primary destroyers of Byzantine influence.
In the early 14th century, Byzantium struggled to halt Turkish expansion in Asia Minor, prompting the emperor to recruit the Catalan Company—a seasoned mercenary force led by Roger de Flor. While they were initially successful against Turkish beyliks, their growing autonomy posed a severe threat to Constantinople.
The situation turned volatile following the assassination of Roger de Flor, which triggered open warfare between the empire and its own hired troops. By 1311, the Catalans had transitioned from soldiers for hire to sovereign rulers, destroying the Duchy of Athens' army and seizing the city itself.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Byzantium’s Mercenaries Who Became Its Enemies
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-byzantium-s-mercenaries-who-became-its-enemies.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Medieval life · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
