Thank you Mark and fearn,
I've read about the Varangian guards, Viking mercenaries and elite troops, but I've yet to find a detailed depiction of their gear. On a manuscript they're shown as wearing mail, some sort of coif and using polearms and lances/spears, essentially byzantine equipment.
Although the eagle head points to Roman practices and traditions, I'm wondering whether a different sword type/style was developed/adopted in Byzantium.
To the forum members residing in Istanbul, or to those having visited her museums! Do you have any pictures or documents pertaining to weaponry in the 3rd-4th centuries? Anything from the Early Period would be helpful.
Many thanks.
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