Recreating a Greek Cavalryman

[John Conyard]

I suspect this leads us to a discussion about the nature of the xyston and the kontos.

To summarise passed debates many members see the the xyston as being around 4m, slender and used in one hand.
The kontos as being around 4m, thicker and heavier, and used in two hands.

I'm currently on my third and best kontos. The wood used is ash, around 25mm diameter, 4m long, with a balance point well to the rear end. It bends little, and at the canter there is little "wobble". It could be slightly thicker and heavier, and still a viable weapon, especially if it tapered towards the point. I can carry it in one hand just behind the point of balance, but when aiming it at anything two hands are better to guide the point to the accurately to target. Two hands allow me to hold it towards the rear of the weapon. I would out-range anybody holding it one handed. And if I want to hit anything with force, a two-handed strike is better. Parrying with the weapon is much faster and stronger with two hands.

The Greeks could make the xyston from cornel wood, as recommended by Xenophon. Light and strong I've never had access to any. I understand it is superior to ash. As such any 4m long weapon wouldn't need to be as wide as an ash version. But I would still use it two handed to maximise the length, for accuracy, and for power.

So I believe from experience the xyston may have been lighter than the kontos, but both would have been used two handed.

I think cavalry of the period could have carried two javelins, akin to what Arrian calls "pure Tarentines". They would have primarily engaged in skirmishing. Cavalry could have carried a javelin and a spear/sword for hand to hand combat. This sounds like Xenophon's recommendation, and Arrian's "light Tarentines". Then we have Macedonian cavalrymen equiped mentally and physically to fight the enemy and break his will to resist.

I enjoy studying all imagery of Greek cavalry, but suspect we only get to see the same relatively few images. But for his depth of knowledge, experience and practical advice, Xenophon stands alone.