Roman Heavy Cavalry Fighting Techniques

[Robert Vermaat]

May I ask, what did a cavalryman do with his two-handed spear after the first impact? It isn't quite practical to fight with in close combat, is it? Or did they just leave and charge again?

here the 'kontos' comes into its own, for with it, the cataphracts/clibanarii can outreach the foe by prodding and jabbing at the defenders, while hopefully their own and their horses armour keeps them fairly immune. Again the 'kontos' is not a one-off weapon. Think of the way a 'Picador' in a bull-ring uses his lance to repeatedly inflict wounds.[/quote]
I agree with Paul. The long thrusting spear would be used to stay out of reach of the defenders, hitting them whereas they can 'only' hurl stones, javelins and arrows back at the attackers. Which is where the heavy armour comes in.