PICTISH LIGHT CAVALRY

An extract from The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome
by Phil Barker & Ian Heath


	[Based on Pictish stones]

101 & 102. PICTISH LIGHT CAVALRY

Many Picts are depicted fighting mounted, armed with javelins or spear and carrying round shields, often with spiked bosses. The riders invariably wear a tunic and sometimes leave off their cloaks. 101 seems to have shoes, so may be considerably later than 102. Mounts are small, making the large saddlecloths look even larger. Such cavalry would probably not be capable of making much impression on regular cavalry or solid infantry, but could still do a superb job of scouting or driving off cattle.

Next: 103. PICTISH SYMBOLS by Phil Barker and Ian Heath