Roman Heavy Cavalry Fighting Techniques

[Michael Kerr]

Hi, I was reading with interest this debate and although this doesn't refer to Roman Cavalry but Iazyges I couldn't help remembering Cassius Dio describing "The Battle On The Ice" in book 7 when the Sarmatians crossed the Danube on a winter campaign of raiding and he stated that the Iazyges knowing that they were being pursued by a Roman force actually waited for the Romans to engage them so they were fairly confident of defeating this force.

The Iazyges were conquered by the Romans on land at this time and later on the river. By this I do not mean that any naval battle took place, but that the Romans pursued them as they fled over the frozen Ister and fought there as on dry land. The Iazyges, perceiving that they were being pursued, awaited their opponents' onset, expecting to overcome them easily, as the others were not accustomed to the ice. Accordingly, some of the barbarians dashed straight at them, while others rode round to attack their flanks, as their horses had been trained to run safely even over a surface of this kind. The Romans upon observing this were not alarmed, but formed in a compact body, facing all their foes at once, and most of them laid down their shields and rested one foot upon them, so that they might not slip so much; and thus they received the enemy's charge. Some seized the bridles, others the shields and spearshafts of their assailants, and drew the men toward them; and thus, becoming involved in close conflict, they knocked down both men and horses, since the barbarians by reason of their momentum could no longer keep from slipping. The Romans, to be sure, also slipped; but in case one of them fell on his back, he would drag his adversary down on top of him and then with his feet would hurl him backwards, as in a wrestling match, and so would get on top of him; and if one fell on his face, he would actually seize with his teeth his antagonist, who had fallen first. For the barbarians, being unused to a contest of this sort, and having lighter equipment, were unable to resist, so that but few escaped out of a large force.

I am no expert on cavalry matters unlike a lot of gentlemen on this site but while I was reading all the posts on this topic I couldn't help but think of this piece from Dio. Sorry for barging in so late but I don't know whether the icy conditions beat the Iazyges or stout defence by the Romans, probably both.

Regards
Michael Kerr