The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300

The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300 cover

The Numidians 300 BC–AD 300

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Description

The Numidian light cavalry were among the best-known horsemen in the ancient world: riding without saddles or bridle, carrying only hide shields for defense and clutching a handful of light javelins, they were renowned for their darting attacks, swift retreats, and skirmishing prowess. Yet, as much as they were respected by their allies and enemies, they were unfairly derided for their indiscipline, their perceived lack of culture, and their fecklessness, and dismissed as uncivilized, nomadic barbarians from beyond the fringes of the cultured, settled Mediterranean world. The famous portrayal of Numidian horsemen on Trajan's Column, of barefoot riders in simple tunics, astride tiny ponies, reinforces this view, and is the image that is almost universally reproduced.

Recent scholarship, however, has shown that there is far more evidence for the armour and equipment of the Numidians than hitherto assumed. The carved stone shields and cuirasses that punctuate the decorative friezes of the stone 'altars' at Kbor Klib and Chimtou in North Africa are confident representations of Numidian panoplies, not captured Carthaginian armour as has previously been argued. In this book, this research is presented alongside a close examination of various ancient texts which reveals that the Numidians also fielded infantry, slingers, archers, and even war elephants in conflicts across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Greece, northern Italy, and Thrace. All of these troops are brought to life in original colour artwork, complemented by chapters on their weapons and equipment, history, tactics, and organization.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Historical Background
Numidian Forces
Appearance and Clothing
Weapons and Equipment
Conclusion
Select Bibliography
Plate Commentaries
Index

Product details

Published 21 Jan 2021
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472842190
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Men-at-Arms
Short code MAA 537
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

William Horsted

William Horsted studied Ancient History at the Uni…

Illustrator

Adam Hook

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his wo…

Resources

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