heavy cavalry engaging heavy cavalry

[Michael Kerr]

Alanus wrote:

In this light, and considering no contus, we might think of the Iazages as having standard cavalry.

I agree, Cassius Dio when he writes about the battle on the frozen Danube river that the Romans used their shields for traction on the ice and grabbed the bridles, shields and spears of the attacking Iazyges to unhorse them causing a conveyor belt scenario where the horses following the first line collided with the leading horses & unhorsing Iazyges horsemen everywhere on the ice, so I am assuming the Iazyges fought with shields and shorter lances than the contus which would have required 2 hands & if they had javelins they would have thrown them at a tightly bunched Roman outfit. It seems the Romans formed a square to avoid Iazyges flank attacks. He does not mention bows in this battle.

Regards
Michael Kerr