02-05-2014, 10:59 PM
Well, yes, but remember, the heavy cavalry were pretty generally nobles, "equestrians". They could afford a horse and armour, and generally didn't have to fend for anyone but themselves, unless they intended to lead. It is extremely expensive, by comparison, to raise professional armies - you have to recruit men, train them, feed them, house them, equip them, pay them, promise(and keep to the promises) bonuses to keep them from getting out of the army ASAP. No wonder the US Congress is full of penny-pinchers.
