Livy states before the battle of Cynocephalae, that the Aetolian cavalry was the best in Greece(who were allied to the Romans). Any descriptions or picture of these troops? I would assume they wore a late Hellenistic helmet, bronze breastplate, boots, sabre and lance. What about a small shield..?
Johnny
Likely a small round shield. Polybius touches on this:
"The Romans, therefore, having observed these defects, soon changed their weapons for the armour of the Greeks. For the Grecian spear, which is firm and stable, not only serves to make the first stroke with the point in just direction and with sure effect; but, with the help of the iron at the opposite end, may, when turned, be employed against the enemy with equal steadiness and force. In the same manner also the Grecian shields, being strong in texture, and capable of being held in a fixed position, are alike serviceable both for attack and for defense. These advantages were soon perceived, and the arms adopted by the cavalry. "
from
http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Polyb1.html
I assume by "sabre" we are discusing a kopis/macheira.
The Aetolians were sort of "late comers" in the military affaira of Greece.
Their cavalry initially would be light and modeled on the Thessalian light cavary-pilos, clamys, javelins.
In the Hellenistic period they would have armor linen or metalic : Beotian, Attic or Thacian helmet and since "tarantines" were the fashionalbe cavalry they would sport a round shield.
Swords would be long bladed NOT kopis!
Kind regards
This form of sword may be new to me - would it be a straight sword? Single or double edged? Leaf-shaped, or parallel edges like a spatha, or tapering edges like a scythian akinakes?
Xenophon in Hippika describes machera as a long sword.
Most complete survivng long shwords (excluding bronze age) are from the archaic period and they are over 70 cm. Both leaf shape and straight are an option. Macedonians and Thacians had been influenced by thr skythian swords and in turn influesed southern Greeks.
Ah by the way "skythic saddle" would be availble for certain by the Hellenistic period.
Kind regards