10-30-2008, 01:04 PM
Quote:Well, the lack of ammo as one part, but I guess experience was another.
These light troops were who? youngsters, or older poorer members of society? But a foot archer is at a distinct disadvantage to a mounted archer, unless he has a height advantage such as a wall or terrain.
As you say, so many facters that in the end, all point back to a lack of leadership.....that can be as fatigueing as physical exhaustion.....
I assume you would be correct on the issue of foot archers Vs horse archers, Byron.
I have heard of cases of foot archers held back way behind the lines of a shield wall. And only kept in reserve against enemy troops that found their way past the shield wall.
It would be compounded by the horse archer being an elite member of his society. Who spent his time in practical training for horsemanship. Top quality foot archers were a rarity. Although the later Romans made efforts to create good quality foot archers. They must have learned the lesson.
I don't know how slingers would go? In such circumstances they may have been almost as great as risk to their own side as the other. The same could be true of incompetent archers.
Steven.
