Cataphract - Equipment and Tactics

The cataphract (Greek κατάφρακτος) was a type of heavy cavalryman used primarily in eastern and southeastern Europe, in Anatolia and Iran from late antiquity up through the High Middle Ages. Nations deploying cataphracts at some time in their history included the Sarmatians, Parthians, Sassanid Persians, Armenians, Pergamenes, Romans, Byzantines and others. Cataphracts were the heavy assault force of most nations that used them, acting as shock troops supported by light or heavy infantry and foot or mounted ar ...

Including:

• Cataphract - Etymology of the Term
• Cataphract - Equipment and Tactics
• Cataphract - Related Types

Read more here: » Cataphract: Encyclopedia - Cataphract

Equipment and tactics varied, but cataphracts generally wore heavy armor of scale armour, mail, lamellar armour, horn, or thick quilted cloth, carried a shield, sat on an armoured horse, and charged with lances (kontos) in a tight knee-to-knee formation. Most armies' cataphracts would be equipped with an additional side-arm such as a sword or mace, for use in the melee that followed the charge. Some wore armour that was primarily frontal rather than providing equal protection all around, and sometimes likewise for the horse armour. In some armies cataphracts were not equipped with ...

See also:

Cataphract, Cataphract - Etymology of the Term, Cataphract - Equipment and Tactics, Cataphract - Related Types

Read more here: » Cataphract: Encyclopedia II - Cataphract - Equipment and Tactics

The Romans used cataphracts only late in their history, and even then primarily in the East. The first unit appeared during the reign of emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.). In addition to ordinary cataphract types they sometimes fielded a very heavy type called a clibanarius (pl. clibanarii), named after an iron oven due to their enclosed metal armor. They also formed one exotic experimental unit of scythed chariots with cataphr ...

See also:

Cataphract, Cataphract - Etymology of the Term, Cataphract - Equipment and Tactics, Cataphract - Related Types

Read more here: » Cataphract: Encyclopedia II - Cataphract - Related Types