Equites Cataphractarii

  • The Roman Cataphract was an Armoured Roman Cavalry unit known as the ‘Equites Cataphractarii’.
  • ‘Cataphract’ also meant a Decked Roman Galley.

Description

  • Developed by the Persians and first recorded by the Greeks in the Greco-Persian wars of 499-449 BCE.
  • The Cavalry were completely covered in armour including the riders, and used to charge infantry formations and mow them down.
  • However, the Greeks and Romans initially preferred to keep light cavalry as they believed speed and mobility was more important on the battlefield.

The Persian Cataphracts

  • In 53 BCE, at the Battle of Carrhae the Romans under Crassus were completely defeated with the help of the 1,000 Cataphracts deployed against them by the Persian Army.

Roman Cataphract Unit

  • Hadrian (117-138 CE)
    • formed the Roman Army’s first Heavy Cavalry unit, where both rider and horse were completely covered in metal scales.
    • ‘Ala I Gallorum et Pannoniorum Cataphractaria’
    • ‘Ala I Ulpia Contariorum’
  • Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE)
    • He recruited Sarmatian Cataphract units and based them in Britannia.
  • Gallienus (260-268 CE)
    • In 260 CE, he created a mobile reserve of Cataphract Units to meet threats on the Danube and in the East.
  • Late Roman Empire (284-476 CE):
    • The number of Cataphract units was expanded to meet the Threat of Invasions.

Equipment

  • Lorica Squamata
    • The horse was covered in Scale Armour of circular plates, made of Iron and Copper alloy.
  • Lorica Hamata
    • The Rider was covered in mail armour.
  • Helmet
    • The head and face were protected.
  • Cuirass
    • The Rider’s Torso was protected by Breast and Back plates.
  • Contus
    • The Rider held a Long Lance with both hands.
  • Spatha
    • The Rider also had a Sword up to about 3 ft (1m) long.
  • Other Equipment:

Strengths

  • Cataphracts became the new ‘Tank’ of the Ancient World.
  • Their armour meant they were impervious to hails of arrows and other missiles. Therefore, they could be used to make a powerful Frontal Charge.
  • They replaced the massed Chariot Charge. The use of Chariots in Persian armies was made obsolete by Greek tactics from 500 BCE onwards, especially by Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE.

Weaknesses

  • However, The horses could not cool off due to the heavy coat of armour, especially in the hot climate of the East, and became tired and slow.
  • If the Cataphracti did not stay together as a tight unit, they could be surrounded and picked off by light infantry one by one.

The Tactics used by Constantine I to defeat the Equites Cataphractarii of Maxentius in 312 CE.

  • At Turin Constantine I was opposed by a large force of Maxentius‘ heavily armed cavalry, the Equites Cataphractarii. Unable to stop a head-on frontal attack by using his own cavalry, Constantine I decided on a strategy to defeat the Cataphractari.
  • Constantine I knew the Cataphractari were vulnerable to a flank attack. He allowed the Cataphracti to charge into his lines without resistance, then his own cavalry charged into them from the sides, attacking them with clubs tipped with iron. Maxentius‘ Cataphractari were soon knocked down and dismounted.
  • Constantine I then gave the order for his infantry to attack Maxentius‘ infantry, and the defenders fled back to Turin. However, the city refused to allow them back in, and changed sides, welcoming Constantine I‘s army instead. The other Italian cities all welcomed Constantine I and he made his base in Milan.
  • He then went on to defeat Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge.

Other Mounted Units

  • The Roman Camel Corps was a Cavalry unit adapted for the Desert, and by contrast was light and manoeuvrable.
    • ‘Ala I Ulpia Dromedariorum’
    • ‘Cohors I Ulpia Sagittariorum’
      • (Mounted Light Archers) also based in Syria and created by Trajan c.117 CE.

Back to Roman Auxiliaries

Posted in .