Cataphract, Clibanarii, whatever, against Infantry

[Justin of the New Yorkii]

The Persians had a larger breed of horse, the name escapes me at the moment but I think it was the Nisson (sp?), not the car or donut. :roll:

Yes, the Nisaean horse, great big powerful breed.

There aren't many examples of cataphracts charging directly into infantry because they weren't really suited for that purpose.
Alexander didn't use cataphracts, obviously, but as the story goes he led his heavy cavalrymen on a charge right at the Sacred Band of Thebes during the Battle of Chaeronea and, as Diodorus of Sicily said, "succeeded in rupturing the solid front of the enemy line and striking down many."

I'm skeptical of this story, for the record.