ITALIAN CAVALRY AND COMMAND

The Roman cavalry (Latin Equites) played an auxiliary role in the Roman martial arts of the Republic and the early Empire. The Romans did not perceive themselves as outstanding cavalrymen, and therefore during the conquest of Italy (5th-3rd century BC) and later - during the conquest of hegemony over the Mediterranean (3rd-2nd century BC), they wanted their The allies (Latin socii) in Italy used as many cavalry contingents as possible on military expeditions. During the Punic Wars (264-146 BC), Allied cavalry clearly dominated the Roman armies over the cavalry of Roman citizens, often displaying a higher level of training or morale. It can be assumed that in the period of the Republic (especially after the Second Punic War), the armament of the Socii cavalry was unified with that of the Roman cavalry. Spears were used as offensive weapons, with spears at both ends, a sword was used as a side weapon, and a defensive weapon was, for example, a helmet and a large round shield.