Horseback Bow?

[tshiggins]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Just a nitpick: From what I understand, Parthian nobles fought as cataphracts, while the horse archers were lower status parthians or allied or mercenary tribesmen, often steppe nomads. This is similar to other Steppe Nomad military formations, which had higher status(and wealthier, so able to afford more equipment) horsemen as heavy cavalry, with armored rider and horse, and often using lances, swords and maces for shock action, with a larger light force of mounted horse archers from lower classes.

Just wanted to elaborate that little point, I think the over-all gist of what your are saying is still correct: it takes a lifetime of training to develop the skills and physical capabilities to develop archers, especially mounted archers, for military uses.

I double-checked, and you're right. The Parthian nobles fought as armored cataphracts, and the archers were light cavalry.

Interestingly, neither used stirrups, at the time.

[Ulzgoroth]

My research seemed to indicate that in some periods the cataphracts were archers as well as heavy lancers. Though they were certainly separate from the light horse archers.

[tshiggins]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

My research seemed to indicate that in some periods the cataphracts were archers as well as heavy lancers. Though they were certainly separate from the light horse archers.

I wonder if what differs "cataphracts" from "knights" is the presence of stirrups?

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by tshiggins

I wonder if what differs "cataphracts" from "knights" is the presence of stirrups?

The distinction is that cataphract is a Greek root and knight is a German root.

[Tomsdad]

Originally Posted by tshiggins

I double-checked, and you're right. The Parthian nobles fought as armored cataphracts, and the archers were light cavalry.

Interestingly, neither used stirrups, at the time.

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

My research seemed to indicate that in some periods the cataphracts were archers as well as heavy lancers. Though they were certainly separate from the light horse archers.

There's cultural aspect here as well, in that part of the world horseback archery was very much part of a noble's skillset.

So there would be some crossover in potential use. But I'm guessing it was a matter of intended role in a battle.