Cataphracts: Heavy Cavalry of the Ancient World

The cataphract is one of the most well known heavy cavalry units of all time, often equated to the ancient world's version of a tank. Combining both rider and horse, heavily armored from head to toe, and wielding both bow and lance, the cataphract saw use in numerous cultures from Persia, to Rome, Byzantium, and steppe cultures like the Sarmatians.

There are four competing theories for how the cataphract developed, and in this video, we'll examine what those four theories of cataphract development are.


SOURCES:
Cataphractus & Kāmāndār, Potts
The Roman Empire in Late Antiquity, Elton
Warfare in Roman Europe, Elton
Warhorse, Sidnell

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#heavycavalry
#militaryhistory