8145 Parthian Heavy Cavalry
Dated: September 1, 2006, updated December 2, 2006.
The heavy cavalry of the Parthian Empire formed the powerful striking arm of an army built around mobility. While light horse archers harassed an enemy from a distance, the heavily armored cataphracts waited for the moment when a formation had become disordered or exhausted. They could then charge with long lances, using the weight of horse, rider and armor to deliver the decisive blow.
Front cover.
Parthian cataphracts were drawn largely from the aristocratic warrior class. Their equipment was expensive, and both rider and horse could be protected by extensive scale or lamellar armor. Contemporary descriptions speak of steel helmets, coats of mail or scale armor reaching toward the knees, and horses protected across the head, neck and body. Such equipment made the cataphract one of the most formidable cavalrymen of the ancient world.
Their principal weapon was the kontos, an exceptionally long and heavy lance approaching four metres in length. Unlike an ordinary cavalry spear, the kontos was normally controlled with both hands, allowing the rider to put considerable force behind the thrust. The size of the weapon and the protection provided by the armor made Parthian heavy cavalry especially dangerous once they reached close combat.
Test sprue.
The effectiveness of the cataphracts depended greatly upon cooperation with the Parthian light cavalry. Horse archers could surround an enemy, shower it with arrows and tempt troops into breaking formation in pursuit. The heavy cavalry could then attack weakened or isolated formations. This combination of missile fire and shock action was particularly effective against infantry armies that lacked enough cavalry of their own.
The classic example was the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. The Roman army of Marcus Licinius Crassus was continually attacked by Parthian horse archers under the commander Surena. When Roman cavalry and infantry attempted to drive them away, the Parthians drew them out and the cataphracts moved in for close combat. The Roman cavalry was destroyed, and the main army eventually collapsed in one of the most famous defeats suffered by the Roman Republic.
Line drawings
This set is composed of:
5 heavy cataphracts, with a choice of weapons: kontos, sword or two types of mace.
5 horses.
1 foot auxiliary.
Total of 15 mounted and 3 foot per box.
Standard can be taken from light set.
Separation of light and heavy troops will allow customer to vary proportions of light vs heavy in his army for added historical verisimilitude.
Heavy cavalry remained an important element of Parthian warfare throughout the long rivalry with Rome. Parthian forces fought repeated wars over Armenia, Syria and Mesopotamia, sometimes defeating Roman invasions and at other times being forced to withdraw before major Roman offensives. Over time, heavily armored cavalry became increasingly important, and the tradition continued under the later Sasanian Persian Empire.
This set contains heavily armored riders mounted on armored horses, with several different styles of helmets and body protection. The principal weapon supplied is the long kontos lance, with enough lances to equip the mounted warriors throughout the set. Swords and maces are also included, allowing some additional variety in equipment. One dismounted figure is provided as well.
The horses are almost completely covered by protective trappers, including armor for the head and neck as well as the body. Together with the armored riders and long lances, they give the finished unit the imposing appearance associated with Parthian cataphracts.
This set is designed to complement our Parthian Light Cavalry. Used together, the two sets reproduce the combination of horse archers and armored lancers that made Parthian armies so effective in open country. They are especially suitable for the Battle of Carrhae and the many later Roman-Parthian wars, with the light cavalry wearing down the enemy before the cataphracts close for the decisive attack.