Cataphract, Clibanarii, whatever, against Infantry

[marka]

a further point if i may
assuming our cavalryman has charged home frontally once involved in a melee against say legionaries 6-8 ranks deep he would be facing three or four legionaries in close proximity and would be at a distinct disadvantage for several reasons.
assuming he disposed of these....he would have a further eight to twelve...then he would meet the second line.

against spearmen he would face four or five spears from the front rank alone

not to mention the amount of missiles that would be thrown at him whilst charging or having to avoid wounded or dead horses...caltrops and any other barriers.

most of the sources talking about a cavalry victory are talking about a cavalry force attacking the rear or flank of the infantry force while this was hard pressed to the front ie alesia,pharsalus or adrianople.a couple are talking about a group of infantry fighting on (after everybody else has fled) unitl they are surrounded.In some cases the surrounded infantry were either allowed to leave or they asked terms of surrender.