03-21-2005, 09:29 AM
"Well, to be fair, Crassus was the first Roman to take the field against Parthia and was thus somewhat exonerated for being so ill-prepared. (Although, I think the Armenians tried to warn him about the marching thru the open desert.)"<br>
<br>
Crassus did meticulously prepare for his expedition, and he did take a contingent of allied cavalry, but they deserted the main force before the battle.<br>
<br>
However, he didn't follow the rivers, but tried to take the "short cut" across the desert. He also foolishly insisted that his men do a quick march in the blistering heat. They were probably in pretty bad shape before the battle even started.<br>
<br>
But yes, the power of the horse archers' bows was a nasty shock, as was the heaviness of the cataphracts' armour. <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Crassus did meticulously prepare for his expedition, and he did take a contingent of allied cavalry, but they deserted the main force before the battle.<br>
<br>
However, he didn't follow the rivers, but tried to take the "short cut" across the desert. He also foolishly insisted that his men do a quick march in the blistering heat. They were probably in pretty bad shape before the battle even started.<br>
<br>
But yes, the power of the horse archers' bows was a nasty shock, as was the heaviness of the cataphracts' armour. <p></p><i></i>
Rob Grainger