Historic Mod for R:TW.

[Robert Vermaat]

For Iberian cataphracts, go here and search the page for "Iberi Lanceari" who are modeled as cavalry with helms, body armour, and greaves on horses with a full mail trapper. The caption description suggests that these troops were the mainstay of Hannibal's Spanish cavalry at Cannae!

Fully armoured cavalry in Hannibal's time? Based on what? I recall that horse armour originated in central Asia, spreaking through persia to the Roman empire. "These are probably the most versatile heavy cavalry in the world", the text claims. Based on what exactly? Wishful thinking?

"Historically, the Iberian heavy cavalry was the most instrumental unit aside from the African Infantry at the battle of Cannae. They showed their martial prowess to an extreme degree by driving both the Roman and Allied heavy cavalry off the battlefield, turning and proceeding to drive the Roman light cavalry off the battlefield, then turning once more to completely surround the Roman infantry." Did they really? Heavy cavalry simply cannot chase light(er) cavalry from the field unless they completely rout, because light cavalry will rise rings around heavy cavalry, whose horse tire much more quickly.

Besides, was it not the loss of the famous North African cavalry that really weakened the cathaginians? North African cavalry seems to have been much more appreciated than Iberian cavalry.

Personally I think the information for the armour as presented below is to say the least a bit thin, and more based on national pride than on historical proof:

These hardy Iberians are among the choicest units available to a Carthaginian commander. They are a good all-purpose heavy cavalry, and they have a staying power on the battlefield that is simply unmatched by all but the most elite cavalry forces. They do not suffer from the same morale problems that the other Iberian troops in the service of a foreign power do since they are usually lavished upon by their commanders and their officers marry into Carthaginian or Liby-Phoenician families. They wear good quality mail armor and carry long Iberian style ovular shields. This combined with their use of a cavalry spear and falcata make them ideal cavalry for both the charge and fierce melee. These are probably the most versatile heavy cavalry in the world, and their status in the Carthaginian army proves this.

Historically, the Iberian heavy cavalry was the most instrumental unit aside from the African Infantry at the battle of Cannae. They showed their martial prowess to an extreme degree by driving both the Roman and Allied heavy cavalry off the battlefield, turning and proceeding to drive the Roman light cavalry off the battlefield, then turning once more to completely surround the Roman infantry. Most cavalry would have been content with simply chasing after the Roman heavy cavalry. It takes a great deal of discipline to turn thrice, all without a commander of note during the battle! After ten years of fighting in Italy two thirds of these men were still at Hannibal?s side!