11-10-2008, 10:02 AM
Other Roman commanders did show that Parthians were very vulnerable for their reliance of horse archers and cataphracts. Both were very vulnerable to infantry missile troops.
That was the reason why most even relatively successful commanders did have very big proportion of their army as archers and slingers vs. Parthians.
Even Marcus Antonius in his ill-fated expedition never faced total annihilation Crassus-style, because his main force was composed so that Parthians wisely avoided combat with it. His failure was loss of his supply train and siege engines. Latter was even more devastating by lack of trees in area, hindering Romans from taking towns and cities.
Pure cavalry armies always had trouble taking down combination of heavy infantry and missile infantry, if latter army had discipline. Mongols, while highly successful, were no means immune to same facts either.
That was the reason why most even relatively successful commanders did have very big proportion of their army as archers and slingers vs. Parthians.
Even Marcus Antonius in his ill-fated expedition never faced total annihilation Crassus-style, because his main force was composed so that Parthians wisely avoided combat with it. His failure was loss of his supply train and siege engines. Latter was even more devastating by lack of trees in area, hindering Romans from taking towns and cities.
Pure cavalry armies always had trouble taking down combination of heavy infantry and missile infantry, if latter army had discipline. Mongols, while highly successful, were no means immune to same facts either.
(Mika S.)
"Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior." - Catullus -
"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit."
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor." -Lucanus-
"Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior." - Catullus -
"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit."
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor." -Lucanus-
