The arms, equipment and impact of Late Roman Clibanarii

[frozenlamp]

This may be my hellenistic side taking over, but I've always thought of Catafractarii as similar to their Parthian counterparts, and probably armed primarily for the charge, with a long lance similar to the kontos. Where as clibinarii seem to be armed more for closer, more sustained combat, and probably with a shorter spear or spatha. (I have no sources to back this up, it's just my understanding of things.)