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#91
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Obsessed with the Tang Dyn...
Last post by Justin Swanton - Sep 29, 2026, 11:29 AMMen think about the Roman Empire because it didn't actually come to an end in 476 AD. The Western half did, and the barbarian kings there still owed a nominal allegiance to the Eastern court - coins with the emperor's image were being minted in the Visigothic kingdom until well into the 6th century. The Eastern Empire remained the premier Christian power until the battle of Manzikert, so its cultural influence dominated western Europe, a bit like how American cultural influence has dominated the West (and rest of the world) since WW2. It was only from the 13th century onwards that Western art began to take a different path from Eastern iconography. Even after the Eastern Empire began to fade away, the Holy Roman Empire tried to emulate it, more or less, and kept the imperial ideal alive - one supreme Christian ruler who would keep Christian lands safe from infidels and heretics.
This is an AI search on the military might of Charlemagne's Frankish empire compared to the Eastern Roman Empire in 800AD: The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was militarily more powerful and sophisticated than the Empire of Charlemagne in 800 AD, possessing a professional standing army, advanced naval power, and centralized logistics, whereas Charlemagne's strength relied on seasonal feudal levies suited only for local hegemony in Western Europe.
And the Holy Roman Empire compared to the Eastern Roman Empire: The Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) was significantly more powerful militarily in 1000 AD than the Holy Roman Empire. Around 1000 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire was at one of its historical peaks under the reign of Emperor Basil II (often called the "Bulgar-Slayer"). In contrast, the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Otto III was a decentralized collection of regional duchies and territories.
We've been living under the shadow of imperial Rome until well into the Middle Ages.
This is an AI search on the military might of Charlemagne's Frankish empire compared to the Eastern Roman Empire in 800AD: The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was militarily more powerful and sophisticated than the Empire of Charlemagne in 800 AD, possessing a professional standing army, advanced naval power, and centralized logistics, whereas Charlemagne's strength relied on seasonal feudal levies suited only for local hegemony in Western Europe.
And the Holy Roman Empire compared to the Eastern Roman Empire: The Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) was significantly more powerful militarily in 1000 AD than the Holy Roman Empire. Around 1000 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire was at one of its historical peaks under the reign of Emperor Basil II (often called the "Bulgar-Slayer"). In contrast, the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Otto III was a decentralized collection of regional duchies and territories.
We've been living under the shadow of imperial Rome until well into the Middle Ages.
#92
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Obsessed with the Tang Dyn...
Last post by Erpingham - Sep 29, 2026, 11:19 AMQuote from: Keraunos on Sep 29, 2026, 10:26 AMwho have been arguing vehemently that the Tang Dynasty never existed
What do they fill the time period with instead?
#93
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Obsessed with the Tang Dyn...
Last post by Justin Swanton - Sep 29, 2026, 11:14 AMDoesn't sound like he or his daughter had much fun. I did a 2 1/2 week visit to Rome end last year early this year and we saw everything. Apologies to all Chinese, but Rome knocks Xi'an flat for history, culture and architectural beauty.
#94
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: Obsessed with the Tang Dyn...
Last post by Keraunos - Sep 29, 2026, 10:26 AMThere are circles within the ultra-nationalist denizens of the internet in China who have been arguing vehemently that the Tang Dynasty never existed (because it was not founded by Chinese). The Chinese Government have stepped in to denounce these theories!
#95
Ancient and Medieval History / Obsessed with the Tang Dynasty
Last post by Duncan Head - Sep 29, 2026, 09:56 AMhttps://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/sep/29/why-am-i-obsessed-with-chinas-ancient-golden-age-i-took-my-daughter-on-a-trip-to-find-out
They say men in Europe think about the Roman Empire all the time - is this the Eastern equivalent?
They say men in Europe think about the Roman Empire all the time - is this the Eastern equivalent?
#96
Weapons and Tactics / Re: Norman armour and the broi...
Last post by GavinP - Sep 28, 2026, 07:01 PMHorses? Yeah, no, I didn't get as far as painting the cavalry.
#97
Weapons and Tactics / Re: Norman armour and the broi...
Last post by Erpingham - Sep 28, 2026, 06:11 PMQuote from: GavinP on Sep 28, 2026, 05:27 PMSo you're telling me that all these Normans I've painted are wearing the wrong kit....? ARGH!
Well, as long as you painted the horses right, with different coloured legs, I'm sure she'll be reet
#98
Weapons and Tactics / Re: Norman armour and the broi...
Last post by Imperial Dave - Sep 28, 2026, 05:59 PMFeels like an excuse to buy more
#99
Weapons and Tactics / Re: Norman armour and the broi...
Last post by GavinP - Sep 28, 2026, 05:27 PMSo you're telling me that all these Normans I've painted are wearing the wrong kit....? ARGH! 
#100
Selling / Re: Minifigs armies for sale
Last post by John GL - Sep 28, 2026, 02:45 PMBoth armies now sold.