01-16-2018, 05:24 PM
Just a note.
The stirrup-shaped bridle bits I mentioned were used for horse riding, not for chariots. This bit style has been found in Northern China, in Xinjiang, in Tuva, also in Kazakhstan, and has been dated to 900 to 650 BC. The stirrup-shaped bit, and three-hole psalia, found in Baifu burial M2 (that of a woman general) is actually dated to 950BC. I'm aware of the Shi-ji's reference to the King Wuling argument, but Zhao was just one state of 7, and this commentary can easily be referenced as Wuling's attempt to catch up, cavalry-wise, with other states such as Qin and Yan which assuredly had cavalry contingents at this time, including Pazyryk-styled saddles and S-shape plalia. During this period, we find several Shi-ji references of Loufan mercenary cavalries, particularly in the Yan State. All of this points to the Chinese use of cavalry as quicker mobility than chariots. When we look at the archaeological armor going back to the Western Zhou period, we see a probable use of heavy cavalry.
In the final analysis, heavy cavalry has an Eastern origin, that is to say-- east of the Oxus with the earliest archaeological evidence pointing to China, then relating to the Saka and its culturally kindred Massagetae and Choresmeanians-- all cultures East of the Oxus. It was an East to West phenomenon. Heavy cavalry was foreign to Alexander's forces and any European entity, but it was recognized for what it was by Cyrus... and he lost his head because of it. To ascribe the "invention" of heavy cavalry to the Seleucids is a geographical error.
The stirrup-shaped bridle bits I mentioned were used for horse riding, not for chariots. This bit style has been found in Northern China, in Xinjiang, in Tuva, also in Kazakhstan, and has been dated to 900 to 650 BC. The stirrup-shaped bit, and three-hole psalia, found in Baifu burial M2 (that of a woman general) is actually dated to 950BC. I'm aware of the Shi-ji's reference to the King Wuling argument, but Zhao was just one state of 7, and this commentary can easily be referenced as Wuling's attempt to catch up, cavalry-wise, with other states such as Qin and Yan which assuredly had cavalry contingents at this time, including Pazyryk-styled saddles and S-shape plalia. During this period, we find several Shi-ji references of Loufan mercenary cavalries, particularly in the Yan State. All of this points to the Chinese use of cavalry as quicker mobility than chariots. When we look at the archaeological armor going back to the Western Zhou period, we see a probable use of heavy cavalry.
In the final analysis, heavy cavalry has an Eastern origin, that is to say-- east of the Oxus with the earliest archaeological evidence pointing to China, then relating to the Saka and its culturally kindred Massagetae and Choresmeanians-- all cultures East of the Oxus. It was an East to West phenomenon. Heavy cavalry was foreign to Alexander's forces and any European entity, but it was recognized for what it was by Cyrus... and he lost his head because of it. To ascribe the "invention" of heavy cavalry to the Seleucids is a geographical error.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
