Knights of Byzantium

The Knights of Byzantium are a fictional military order, composed by both knights and clerics, from the 5th season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sworn enemies of Glorificus, they come into conflict with Buffy and the Scooby Gang because of their attempts to kill Buffy's sister, Dawn, as they are fanatically devoted to destroy the Key to prevent it from falling in Glory's hands. To demonstrate their allegiance to the order and their rank within it, they bear tattoos on their foreheads.

The Knights first appeared in the episode "Checkpoint" when three of them attempted to kill Buffy.

Although little was revealed about the Knights of Byzantium, it is clear that they were inspired by medieval Christian military orders such as the Knights Templar.