12-15-2006, 10:44 AM
The cavalry in Belisarios' army appear to have been armoured mounted archers in the main.
IIRC Prokopios describes them as wearing body armour and greaves, armed with a bow and sword and having a small shield on their left shoulder.
A minority also carried a spear.
Horse armour is not mentioned so it seems likely that the clibanarii/catafractarii of the later empire have disappeared. However, works from just after this period do talk about the front rank having horse armour for the front of the horse but, again IIRC, this is seen as an Avar inspired change.
IIRC Prokopios describes them as wearing body armour and greaves, armed with a bow and sword and having a small shield on their left shoulder.
A minority also carried a spear.
Horse armour is not mentioned so it seems likely that the clibanarii/catafractarii of the later empire have disappeared. However, works from just after this period do talk about the front rank having horse armour for the front of the horse but, again IIRC, this is seen as an Avar inspired change.
Nik Gaukroger
"Never ask a man if he comes from Yorkshire. If he does, he will tell you.
If he does not, why humiliate him?" - Canon Sydney Smith
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"Never ask a man if he comes from Yorkshire. If he does, he will tell you.
If he does not, why humiliate him?" - Canon Sydney Smith
mailto:[email protected]
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.endoftime.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/">http://www.endoftime.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
