Byzantine Empire

The Byzantines were the predominantly Greek-speaking citizens and supporters of the Byzantine Empire.

History

Templar infiltration

During the early 16th century after the Templars were driven from Italy by the Assassins, the Templars were able to seize control of the remnants of the Byzantines. Now in control of the Byzantine remnants, the Templars set up their primary headquarters at Cappadocia. The Byzantine then aimed to uproot the Ottomans and take control of Constantinople.

Masyaf

Eventually, the Templars became aware of the five seals of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. Therefore, many Byzantine soldiers went to Masyaf with their Templar masters in an attempt to recover the seals. The Byzantine soldiers were able to recover at least one of the five seals, which was later kept by their commander and member of the Templar Order, Leandros. However, eventually the seal was stolen by Ezio Auditore, who also sought all five seals and assassinated Leandros.

Constantinople

As the Templars plotted to overthrow the Ottomans, many Byzantine soldiers were present in Constantinople circa 1511. These soldiers rivaled the Constantinople Assassins Guild, and at one point, a group of soldiers attacked the Galata District, though were driven away by Assassins. The Byzantine remnants were able to secure several strongholds across Constantinople as their Templar leaders plotted against the Ottomans. However, the Assassins took the strongholds for themselves and converted them into Assassin Dens, and at some point, Ezio Auditore infiltrated Cappadocia.

Cappadocia

During the early 16th century, the Templars set up their headquarters in Cappadocia, after being driven from their previous base in Rome by the Assassins. There, the Templars set up prisons and instated themselves as the rulers of the city, filling the streets with Byzantine Templars. The Templar in charge of the Masyaf expedition, Manuel Palaiologos, resided in Cappadocia for some time after his family lost their hold on the Ottoman throne. He, along with his bodyguard and fellow Templar, Shahkulu, governed much of the city and held power within its walls. The two also negotiated the purchase of armaments for their Templars with the Captain of the Janissaries, Tarik Barleti, in 1511.

Trivia

• The Byzantines, on the radar, show up as red dots while the Ottomans show as yellow.

Gallery

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  Byzantine soldiers with one of their Templar masters, Leandros.
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  Artwork.
• An example of a 16th century Byzantine soldier.
  An example of a 16th century Byzantine soldier.
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  Heir to the Byzantine throne, Manuel Palaiologos