Hat 8024 Numidian Cavalry

The Numidian cavalry was a type of light cavalry that was recruited from peoples living in what is now Tunisia, Algeria and - partly - Morocco. The riders serving in this cavalry mounted their horses without saddles, bridles, or even more so with stirrups, and they controlled them only with a string suspended from the horse's mouth and with their own body movement. It is worth adding that the Numidian horses at that time were smaller than the horses from other parts of the Mediterranean basin, which made them much more agile on the battlefield. This type of cavalry did not use any protective equipment, and its only weapons were javelins and a short sword. It was used primarily for harassing attacks on enemy formations, and its tactics were speed, maneuverability and mobility. They were also used as great recon units. Hannibal made extensive use of this type of cavalry during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). At the end of this war, the Numid contingent also served as an ally of the Roman army and took part in the Battle of Zama in 202 BC. Quite commonly, the Numidian cavalry is probably the best light cavalry of the Punic Wars period (3rd-2nd century BC).