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Sasanian Heavy Cavalry

Type Object Region Persia Time c. 224–500

Sasanian heavy cavalry (cataphract/clibanarii) were the elite shock troops of the Sasanian Persian Empire, with riders and horses clad in scale or ma…

Timeline

  1. c. 224–270Mesopotamia · MesopotamiaIn the early years of the Sasanian state, the Parthian heavy cavalry system was inherited and strengthened, forming a military backbone centered on noble cavalry.
  2. c. 270–350Ctesiphon · CtesiphonUnder Shapur I, heavy cavalry equipment became complete, with fully armored men and horses charging with lances, inflicting heavy defeats on Roman forces in battles such as Edessa.
  3. c. 350–500Iranian Plateau · Iranian PlateauBy the fourth and fifth centuries, the coordinated system of Sasanian heavy cavalry, light cavalry and infantry matured, becoming the core force for frontier defense and external campaigns.

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