02-25-2013, 09:18 PM
Tanks and anti-tank tactics? Are we straying off topic so soon?
The Roman Republic cavalry was not shock cavalry. It served a completely different purpose. The cavalry of the Late Empire was sometimes used differently, and might be considered "heavy cavalry" by some. Tactics changed, infantry tactics changed some, armor and helmet styles changed for both horsemen (and horses) and footsoldiers. As the armament, training, and tactics changed over time, it follows that the appearance and function of the armies involved also changed. It's sort of pointless to compare the Parthian horse archers with the Republic Equites, or Republic infantry with pikemen, if you ask me.
From my limited reading of warfighting, it's hard to make absolutes like "X troops always defeat Y troops". Too many other factors enter into the equation, many of them fairly intangible.
The Roman Republic cavalry was not shock cavalry. It served a completely different purpose. The cavalry of the Late Empire was sometimes used differently, and might be considered "heavy cavalry" by some. Tactics changed, infantry tactics changed some, armor and helmet styles changed for both horsemen (and horses) and footsoldiers. As the armament, training, and tactics changed over time, it follows that the appearance and function of the armies involved also changed. It's sort of pointless to compare the Parthian horse archers with the Republic Equites, or Republic infantry with pikemen, if you ask me.
From my limited reading of warfighting, it's hard to make absolutes like "X troops always defeat Y troops". Too many other factors enter into the equation, many of them fairly intangible.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
