05-19-2011, 03:02 AM
I'd like to second Macedon's comments about ancient cavalry (the Hetairoi included) basically being called upon to fight opposing horsemen (or some mix of cavalry and light infantry support) rather than massed heavy infantry. I believe that even in the case of light infantry opposition, riders probably only took it on when they could get in among troops that were somewhat scattered, rather than standing in good order (and preferably after the footmen had largely exhausted their missiles, which should easily have outranged those of the horsemen and otherwise proven lethal to their mounts).
It\'s only by appreciating accurate accounts of real combat past and present that we can begin to approach the Greek hoplite\'s hard-won awareness of war\'s potential merits and ultimate limitations.
- Fred Eugene Ray (aka "Old Husker")
- Fred Eugene Ray (aka "Old Husker")
