05-24-2001, 12:24 PM
Salve,<br>
<br>
Cavalry can do little useful against heavy infantry that keeps in close order and does not panick and break ranks. Horses will refuse to charge home on a solid object like a thightly packed group of men. The cavalry charge comes down to a test of nerve, those of the ones being charged and the horses. If the former loose their nerves and make a run for it, they will be easy prey for the horsemen. On the other hand if they remain in good order and present a solid shield wall, especially when also making loads of noise and pointing sharp objects at the horses, chances are that the cavalry charge will come to a halt. For a more recent example of cavalry charges failing against determined infantry one can think of the battle of Waterloo: French cavalry charged the allied squares for a long time without succes: their horses would simply refuse to go near a block of men bristling with bayonets.<br>
<br>
Roman forces facing a heavy cavalry charge deployed in a deeper formation than usual and in close order. The front ranks would be using their javelins as stabbing weapons, the rear ranks would throw them at the enemy. Making a lot of noise and keeping up a steady stream of missiles would also help deter the enemy cavalry.<br>
<br>
You can read about the plans made by a Roman general to face an attack by heavy cavalry on this page: members.tripod.com/~S_van...taxis.html<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Cavalry can do little useful against heavy infantry that keeps in close order and does not panick and break ranks. Horses will refuse to charge home on a solid object like a thightly packed group of men. The cavalry charge comes down to a test of nerve, those of the ones being charged and the horses. If the former loose their nerves and make a run for it, they will be easy prey for the horsemen. On the other hand if they remain in good order and present a solid shield wall, especially when also making loads of noise and pointing sharp objects at the horses, chances are that the cavalry charge will come to a halt. For a more recent example of cavalry charges failing against determined infantry one can think of the battle of Waterloo: French cavalry charged the allied squares for a long time without succes: their horses would simply refuse to go near a block of men bristling with bayonets.<br>
<br>
Roman forces facing a heavy cavalry charge deployed in a deeper formation than usual and in close order. The front ranks would be using their javelins as stabbing weapons, the rear ranks would throw them at the enemy. Making a lot of noise and keeping up a steady stream of missiles would also help deter the enemy cavalry.<br>
<br>
You can read about the plans made by a Roman general to face an attack by heavy cavalry on this page: members.tripod.com/~S_van...taxis.html<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
