02-17-2006, 11:58 PM
In "[amazon]Roman Cavalry Equipment[/amazon]" by I.P Stephenson & K.R Dixon
they state that the introduction of the stirrup to the west occured in the 6th to early 7th century by the Avars.
Of note on page 110
"Throughout the whole of the Imperial period the Roman cavalryman be he on horse or camel, was provided with a secure seat from which to fight. The lack of stirrups for most of the period under study is neither there nor there. The importance of the stirrup has been over-emphazised, as the Roman cavlaryman was perfectly able to engage in shock combat with spear and sword without them. Indeed it has been asserted that the main initial impact of the stirrup was to reduce fatigue on long distance rides."
they state that the introduction of the stirrup to the west occured in the 6th to early 7th century by the Avars.
Of note on page 110
"Throughout the whole of the Imperial period the Roman cavalryman be he on horse or camel, was provided with a secure seat from which to fight. The lack of stirrups for most of the period under study is neither there nor there. The importance of the stirrup has been over-emphazised, as the Roman cavlaryman was perfectly able to engage in shock combat with spear and sword without them. Indeed it has been asserted that the main initial impact of the stirrup was to reduce fatigue on long distance rides."
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