Cataphracts

Knights of the Ancient Eastern Empires

Erich B Anderson

$44.99

Paperback

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English

Pen and Sword
01 May 2025

History; Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Military history; Land forces & warfare; Weapons & equipment

A deeply researched and page-turning history of armored cavalry in the ancient world from the Eurasian steppe tribes to the late Byzantine Empire.

Cataphracts were the most heavily armoured form of cavalry in the ancient world, with riders and mounts both clad in heavy armour. Originating among the wealthiest nobles of various central Asian steppe tribes, such as the Massegatae and Scythians, they were adopted and adapted by several major empires. The Achaemenid Persians, Seleucids, Sassanians and eventually the Romans and their Byzantine successors.

Usually armed with long lances, they harnessed the mobility and mass of the horse to the durability and solid fighting power of the spear-armed phalanx. Although very expensive to equip and maintain (not least due to the need for a supply of suitable horses), they were potential battle winners and remained in use for many centuries. Erich B Anderson assesses the development, equipment, tactics and combat record of cataphracts (and the similar clibinarii), showing also how enemies sought to counter them. This is a valuable study of one of the most interesting weapon systems of the ancient world.

AUTHOR: Erich B Anderson is a freelance writer with a B.A. in history and anthropology from Northern Illinois University and a member of the Authors Guild. He has written numerous articles for History Today, Military History Monthly, Ancient Warfare, Medieval Warfare, Minerva, KMT, Strategy & Tactics, Military Heritage, All About History, History of War, Archaeological Diggings, History Magazine, Ancient Egypt, Renaissance and Katsujinken. He lives in Chicago, USA.

16 illustrations

By: Erich B Anderson
Imprint: Pen and Sword
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781036150297
ISBN 10: 1036150291
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 01 May 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

ERICH B ANDERSON is a freelance writer with a B.A. in history and anthropology from Northern Illinois University and a member of the Authors Guild. He has written numerous articles for History Today, Military History Monthly, Ancient Warfare, Medieval Warfare, Minerva, KMT, Strategy & Tactics, Military Heritage, All About History, History of War, Archaeological Diggings, History Magazine, Ancient Egypt, Renaissance and Katsujinken. He lives in Chicago, USA.

Reviews for Cataphracts: Knights of the Ancient Eastern Empires

""...a valuable study of one of the most interesting troop types of the ancient world""-- ""The Armourer"" (5/1/2017 12:00:00 AM) ""...this volume, from independent scholar Anderson, is the first comprehensive survey of heavy armored cavalry - dubbed clibanarii, cataphracti, and more - that played a particularly important role in the military history of Late Antiquity... This is a good survey of the history of heavy cavalry in the ancient world, covering arms, equipment, organization, tactics, and battles""-- ""The NYMAS Review, Autumn 2017""