03-23-2005, 04:31 PM
Salvete,<br>
<br>
Would Caesar have fared better?<br>
- I think yes... a little. He would learn from Crassus mistakes as Antonius did. Antonius was far more succesful than Crassus and I think, Caesar was much better commander than Antonius. But I don't believe Caesar would incorporate Parthia or a major part of Parthia to the Roman empire. May be he would win some battles, capture Ctesiphon and then with glory return to Rome to celebrate his triumph. During his campaign the Parthians would withdraw, but after his departure, they would return to regain their lands. Similar to many other "Parthian wars" of the Romans.<br>
<br>
Penetrating power of the bow.<br>
- The Romans were of course hidden behind their large shields. I don't believe that even under perfect conditions one shot from Parthian bow can penetrate the shield, mail armour and subarmalis and cause a serious wound. So even if the arrow went through the shield, it could perhaps hit the unguarded limbs and sometimes possibly other unguarded parts of human body (face, throat). However the conditions were by no means perfect. The Parthians were horse archers. A horse (especially a riding horse) is very unstable platform for shooting, so the power of the shot is reduced. Somewhere I've read that todays sporting archers claim that after 10-12 shots fired with maximal power even professionals don't have good performances. To this all we must add the stress and confusion of battle, burning sun of Parthian deserts, wearines of riding the horse before and during the battle.<br>
I think that the picture of almost neverending (for many hours lasting) shower of arrows, which can pierce both armour and shields taken from Plutarchos is exaggerated.<br>
Greetings<br>
Alexandr<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Would Caesar have fared better?<br>
- I think yes... a little. He would learn from Crassus mistakes as Antonius did. Antonius was far more succesful than Crassus and I think, Caesar was much better commander than Antonius. But I don't believe Caesar would incorporate Parthia or a major part of Parthia to the Roman empire. May be he would win some battles, capture Ctesiphon and then with glory return to Rome to celebrate his triumph. During his campaign the Parthians would withdraw, but after his departure, they would return to regain their lands. Similar to many other "Parthian wars" of the Romans.<br>
<br>
Penetrating power of the bow.<br>
- The Romans were of course hidden behind their large shields. I don't believe that even under perfect conditions one shot from Parthian bow can penetrate the shield, mail armour and subarmalis and cause a serious wound. So even if the arrow went through the shield, it could perhaps hit the unguarded limbs and sometimes possibly other unguarded parts of human body (face, throat). However the conditions were by no means perfect. The Parthians were horse archers. A horse (especially a riding horse) is very unstable platform for shooting, so the power of the shot is reduced. Somewhere I've read that todays sporting archers claim that after 10-12 shots fired with maximal power even professionals don't have good performances. To this all we must add the stress and confusion of battle, burning sun of Parthian deserts, wearines of riding the horse before and during the battle.<br>
I think that the picture of almost neverending (for many hours lasting) shower of arrows, which can pierce both armour and shields taken from Plutarchos is exaggerated.<br>
Greetings<br>
Alexandr<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
