09-24-2005, 08:05 AM
Hi
I always assumed that cataphracts were not a real shock cavalry, but rather an armoured horse archer. The distinction would be that
1) The cataphract armour was extensive, but not that heavy, designed more as a protection against arrows than for close combat
2) Cataphracts would use bow as primary weapon, while the lance and sword/mace would be used to finish an already weakened enemy.
However, I see that the name is also given to lance only units (Plutarch, Vit Lucull) and of course the same name is covering a very extended period, so I would like to hear the learned opinions of people in this forum, could a development of cataphracts be traced, from earliest mention/data available to medieval times? Changing tactics, equipment, in different regions/periods.
I always assumed that cataphracts were not a real shock cavalry, but rather an armoured horse archer. The distinction would be that
1) The cataphract armour was extensive, but not that heavy, designed more as a protection against arrows than for close combat
2) Cataphracts would use bow as primary weapon, while the lance and sword/mace would be used to finish an already weakened enemy.
However, I see that the name is also given to lance only units (Plutarch, Vit Lucull) and of course the same name is covering a very extended period, so I would like to hear the learned opinions of people in this forum, could a development of cataphracts be traced, from earliest mention/data available to medieval times? Changing tactics, equipment, in different regions/periods.
AKA Inaki
