Byzant Janizars
The Byzant Janizars were a Solar Auxilia unit, whose cohorts originated from the Byzant System. They served extensively in the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet during the Great Crusade[4] and were commanded by Hektor Varvarus. On every planet conquered by the 63rd, the Janizars provided occupation forces and the Imperial Commander. They took part in all actions undertaken by the 63rd.[1a]
Contents
History
Pre-Heresy campaigns
- Davin[2a]
- Keylekid[1b]
- Sixty-Three-Nineteen[1]
- One-Forty-Twenty (also known as Murder and Urisarach)[1]
- Interex conflict[1]
- Aureus[2]
Horus Heresy
Shortly before departing for the Isstvan system, all of the commanders swore an oath to follow Horus, rather than the Emperor. It can be assumed that the top levels of the leadership of the Janizars were corrupt at this point, although the only commander not to be was Varvarus. He was mortally wounded on Aureus by a bolter shot, but the autopsy revealed the shot had come from a Luna Wolves bolter. It is possible that this was an attempt by Horus to have Varvarus removed as he knew he would not betray the Emperor.[2] Maloghurst recruited a personal gang of thugs aboard the Vengeful Spirit from the ranks of the Byzant Janizars, but the ultimate fate of the unit as a whole is unknown.[3]
Heraldry
Janizar cohorts field uniforms consist of armour of off-white and undersuits of dark brown, with rank and service symbols rendered in dark red. It was common amongst these cohorts for troops to bear the numeral LXIII in recognition of their long service to the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet.[4]
Their full dress uniforms consists of long cream greatcoats with gold frogging, high-crowned chrome helms with basket visors and scarlet cockades, and matching sashes. They are also known to brandish ornate power lances.[1a]
Trivia
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Conflicting sources
The novel False Gods depicts the Byzant Janizars as a standard regiment of the Imperialis Militia instead of the more elite Solar Auxilia they are now depicted as. They are said to wear red coats and to not usually wear rebreathers, having to be led by Discipline Masters when facing horrifying enemies.[2b]
Sources
- 1: Horus Rising (Novel)
[Help]
- 2: False Gods (Novel)[Help]
- 3: Galaxy in Flames (Novel)[Help]
- 4: Warhammer Community: Solar Auxilia – The Heraldry of Honour Part 4 (archived from the original 17 October 2024, last accessed 17 October 2024)
