08-21-2007, 05:52 PM
I see the problem. Proving that they were designed to do this would be difficult when we think of the fact that other types of cavalry could dismount to fight in the right (wrong!) circumstances. The Romans at Cannae or the apocryphal Spartans who take up shields from Sicyon are a couple I can think of. I'm also reminded of the mercenary cavalry sent by Syracuse to help the Spartans who did not fight on foot, but kept dismounting just out of range if I recall- so the two need not be linked.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
