07-06-2012, 08:06 PM
Quote:I wondered if somebody would ask about that! I was aware that this is a bit of an assumption, but it's a commonly held one, I think. ................
One of the reasons I asked about this, actually, was my questioning of how effective an all-cavalry reserve would be .............
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. You need to reinforce the troops at the projected crossing point, which is about 90 miles away. ........
The 'cavalry reforms of Gallienus/Diocletion or xxx' are often mentioned, but, and I've asked here before and looked for primary sources of information (and will indeed cover it in passing in the 'little treatise' I still plan to write and post), but it just doesn't seem to exist. Were 'new' cavalry units formed, yes they were, but so were new infantry units - all created as part of the 'central reserve'.
I'm also of the opinion that cavalry was much less numerous than many have been lead to believe - in which case, however, and pre-supposing interior lines of communication with infantry forces already on-site at the other end, as well as logistical support - then using an all cavalry reinforcing force becomes quite viable.
