07-20-2006, 04:31 PM
Quote:It is a part of an attachment for a bit, (incomplete - half of it is missing) but one which passes over the bridge of the horses nose and under its chin. (The widest part of the object is like a nose-band).
It's a hackamore - Flavius Bassus' horse is wearing one as well as a curb bit. Horsiculturalists I have spoken to (my wife is one) differ in their interpretations of the use of the combination of such things.
Quote:Surely there's something about the saddle in Roman Military Equipment II, which was awaiting my return from holiday on monday?
You'd like to think so, wouldn't you Kate ;-) The principal discussion is on p.123.
For those interested in the cavalry charge, the best first-hand account is written by Ardant du Picq, a cavalry general himself who knew a thing or two about it and he was adamant that cavalry could never break a disciplined formation of infantry (and of course the square was the formation with the greatest integrity under such circumstances). He describes ancient battles from the point of view of somebody familiar with warfare. Luckily for you types, it is available as a Gutenberg text.
Mike Bishop
