- Numidian Cavalry came from Numidia, present day Algeria and Tunisia.
- During the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE), they were used by both the Romans and the Carthaginians at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, after which they were permanently used in the Roman Army.
Tactics
- Numidian Cavalry was superior to the traditional Roman Cavalry, due to the lightness and agility of their smaller horses.
- The Numidian horse was a forerunner of the Arab horses of today. The rider had no saddle, neither did he wear any armour, carrying just a shield, lance and short sword.
- Their tactics were perfected into lightning attacks followed by instant dispersal designed to break up enemy formations.
Battle of Zama (202 BCE)
- Numidian Cavalry were widely used by the Carthaginian Army.
- At the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, Hannibal and the Romans both used Numidian cavalry to great effect.
- After this War, the Roman Army always maintained Numidian Cavalry units, known as Equites Numidarum or Equites Maurorum.
Numidia, Algeria