Roxolani and Iaziges

[Michael Kerr]

Alanus wrote:

I imagine that Tomyris used both cataphracts and archers at the River Axartes against Cyrus. The Massagetae attacked the Persians, then retreated, drawing Cyrus' forces into a canyon. Once well into the canyon, the Massagetae turned around and decimated the Persian forces. (from Julius Frontinus) This battle raised Tomyris to one of the greatest ancient generals, albeit a woman.

Hi Alanus, there is an interesting discussion on another thread about "Cavalry and Chariots against Infantry" which made me think of the contus and I have a question which you would probably know better than me and it is Was the contus "and better armour as well as well as "bigger?" horses which would still have to be fast to catch the lighter armed horse archers" developed for fighting infantry or was it developed to come to grips with enemy cavalry? I was reading "Warhorse" by Philip Sidnell and he mentioned a battle at Mount Scoroba (I assume the Sarmatians were fighting for Mithradites against Nicomedes) where 100 Sarmatian cavalry routed 800 of Nicomedes remaining cavalry although I don't know about the quality of Nicomedes cavalry. He also mentions where Arrian's "Ars Tactica" refers to the "Contarii" as those who charge enemy ranks and drive them off with their lances like the "Alans and Sarmatians". I think this is backed up by Tacitus' account of a battle between Sarmatians(Alans I presume)and Parthians in 35AD in which the Parthians fanned out in open order to give themselves room to shoot their arrows as they knew their bows would outrange the Sarmatians's bows but were shocked when instead of shooting back the Sarmatians attacked with lance and sword which eventually broke the Parthians. Anyway I digressed enough although I have a few questions about the "Draco" but I will scan the threads as I think that particular subject has been discussed before.

Regards
Michael Kerr