Numidian cavalry

Numidian cavalrywas a type oflight cavalrydeveloped by theNumidians.They were used byHannibalduring theSecond Punic War.

History

Thebattle of Cannae,where the Numidian cavalry helped to defeat the Roman cavalry, allowing the Carthaginians (blue) to encircle and defeat the Roman army (red)

Numidian cavalry is first mentioned byPolybiusas part of theCarthaginian armyduring theFirst Punic War.^[1]

The Numidian cavalry's horses, ancestors of theBerber horse,were small compared with other horses of the era, and were well adapted for faster movement over long distances.^[2]^{[unreliable source]}Numidian horsemen rode withoutsaddlesorbridles,controlling their mounts with a simple rope around their horse's neck and a small riding stick. They had no form of bodily protection except for a round leather shield or aleopardskin, and their main weapons werejavelinsin addition to ashort sword.^[3]^{[unreliable source?]}

Due to their expert horsemanship and agility, as well as their lack ofarmoror heavy weaponry, they were most suitable for harassing tactics, charging in loose formation and lobbing theirjavelinsbefore wheeling off to escape the enemy's counterattack. This harassing tactic, while rarely decisive, could be extremely frustrating to a less mobile enemy, as experienced byJulius Caesar's soldiers during the latter's invasion of Africa.

The Numidians were extremely useful during small wars, and their presence certainly contributed greatly to the effectiveness of Hannibal'sreconnaissanceand intelligence.Hannibal's invasion of Romeduring the Second Punic War is best known for his extremely limited use of slow-movingwar elephants,but he also employed Numidian cavalry where faster movement was needed, such as luring theRomansinto a trap at theBattle of Trebia^[4]^{[unreliable source?]}and for fighting on his right flank.

Numidian cavalry were widely known and not only fought in the Carthaginian army, but in other armies of the time as well. Again during theSecond Punic War,the Romans allied with the Numidian kingMasinissawho led 6000 horsemen against Hannibal's own in thebattle of Zama,^[5]where the "Numidian Cavalry turned the scales".^[6]

For centuries thereafter, theRoman armyemployed Numidian light cavalry in separate units (equites NumidarumorMaurorum).

The Numidian cavalry were also used inCaesar's civil waron the side ofPompeyand were used inBattle of Utica.

Second Punic War (218–201 BC)

Second Punic War

Throughout the war, Numidian cavalry continued to harass Roman forces, disrupting their supply lines and communications. Their presence forced the Romans to adopt a more cautious approach, hindering their ability to maneuver freely and engage in decisive battles.^[7]

The Numidians' impact extended beyond the battlefield. Their knowledge of the terrain and local customs proved invaluable to Hannibal as he navigated the unfamiliar landscape of Italy. They served as guides, scouts, and intermediaries, helping the Carthaginian army adapt to its new surroundings and establish alliances with local tribes.^[8]^{[self-published source]}

While the Numidian cavalry did not engage in direct frontal assaults against Roman infantry, their indirect contributions to the Carthaginian cause were immense. Their ability to disrupt Roman supply lines, gather intelligence, and exploit terrain advantages played a significant role in Hannibal's early successes in Italy.

Despite their remarkable feats, the Numidians' contributions to the Second Punic War often go overlooked, overshadowed by the more prominent roles played by Roman and Carthaginian infantry and commanders. Nevertheless, their impact on the war was undeniable, and their legacy as masters of cavalry warfare endures to this day. The Numidian horsemen stand as a testament to the power of adaptation, resilience, and tactical ingenuity, demonstrating that even in the face of overwhelming odds, smaller forces can make a significant impact on the course of history.^[9]^{[self-published source]}

Carthaginian Numidian cavalry

Numidian knight

The Carthaginians initially relied heavily on Numidian cavalry,^[10]^{[cleanup needed]}particularly during the early stages of the war. Their skilled horsemanship and familiarity with the North African terrain proved valuable in scouting, harassing Roman supply lines, and engaging in skirmishes. However, as the war progressed and the Romans gained control of key territories, the Carthaginians' access to Numidian reinforcements dwindled.^[11]

Roman Numidian cavalry

Massinissa,King of Numidia

The Romans also employed Numidian cavalry, primarily drawn from conquered territories or allied tribes. These horsemen served a similar purpose to their Carthaginian counterparts, providing reconnaissance, disrupting enemy movements, and engaging in light cavalry engagements. Roman commanders appreciated the Numidians' adaptability and effectiveness in open terrain, often deploying them as a complement to their heavier infantry formations.^[12]

References

^Horsted, William (2021).The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300.Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 3–10.ISBN 9781472842176.
^Epona Archived2008-03-18 at theWayback Machine
^RedRampant.com
^Invasion of Italy
^Sidnell, Philip.Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare,p.194.
^Fuller, J.F.C.,Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, and Tyrant. p. 28ISBN 0-306-80422-0
^Daly, Gregory (2005-08-18).Cannae: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War.Routledge.ISBN 978-1-134-50711-5.
^Mancini, John (2009-02-27).Defending the Roman Republic: Ending the 2Nd Punic War.iUniverse.ISBN 978-0-595-61779-1.
^Taylor, George (2022-07-29).The Numidian History: The Ancient Berbers Of Numidia And Carthage In The Shadow Of Rome.Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp.ISBN 979-8-8429-8744-3.
^Smith, R. Bosworth (2018-04-13).The Punic Wars.Ozymandias Press.ISBN 978-1-5312-7944-8.
^Horsted, William (2021-01-26).The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300.Bloomsbury USA.ISBN 978-1-4728-4219-0.
^McCall, Jeremiah B. (2005-06-29).The Cavalry of the Roman Republic.Routledge.ISBN 978-1-134-51818-0.

[Horst-1] Horsted, William (2021).The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300.Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 3–10.ISBN 9781472842176.

[AW-2] Epona Archived2008-03-18 at theWayback Machine

[rr-3] RedRampant.com

[UNRV-4] Invasion of Italy

[Sidnell-5] Sidnell, Philip.Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare,p.194.

[6] Fuller, J.F.C.,Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, and Tyrant. p. 28ISBN 0-306-80422-0

[7] Daly, Gregory (2005-08-18).Cannae: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War.Routledge.ISBN 978-1-134-50711-5.

[8] Mancini, John (2009-02-27).Defending the Roman Republic: Ending the 2Nd Punic War.iUniverse.ISBN 978-0-595-61779-1.

[9] Taylor, George (2022-07-29).The Numidian History: The Ancient Berbers Of Numidia And Carthage In The Shadow Of Rome.Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp.ISBN 979-8-8429-8744-3.

[10] Smith, R. Bosworth (2018-04-13).The Punic Wars.Ozymandias Press.ISBN 978-1-5312-7944-8.

[11] Horsted, William (2021-01-26).The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300.Bloomsbury USA.ISBN 978-1-4728-4219-0.

[12] McCall, Jeremiah B. (2005-06-29).The Cavalry of the Roman Republic.Routledge.ISBN 978-1-134-51818-0.

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