Cataphractoi

[Cassador_Chris]

Just wondering if the Cataphractoi are making an appearance for the Persians, and what weapon style they will wield. I always saw the cataphractoi in their 'Parthian' and 'Sassian' guises, but a few years ago I came across information about the first 'cataphractoi', arguably the very first armored horsemen in the world.

(I do understand that cataphractoi is a western term used to lable heavily armored eastern cavalry, or just heavily armored cavalry, for that matter, but the term seemed appropriate)

Without stirrups or pommel sadles, though, their effectiveness was pretty limited to ranged weapons. The picture of one that I saw wielded javelins, which I found to be odd and unique, since many cavalry units of the latter ages wielded lances and bows.

anyway, heres the pic.

so, if they are present, what will the nature be of these javalin-throwing heavy cavalry? Will they be like heavy versions of the Numidian cavalry we've been seeing, or will they be more like a heavy melee cavalry?

[Mythos_Ruler]

The Persians do indeed have a Katafractos cavalry unit. It is Baktrian in tribal origin. Fortunately for them, they did indeed use melee weapons, most notably the lance. They were the first cavalry specifically designed to charge into infantry formations and wreak havoc. The horses and men are covered in scales. They will have low attack because once the charge was over the heavy armour was a hindrance, but will have high armour and high charge bonus.

[Cassador_Chris]

excellent