Numidian cavalry
Ancient African riders
Numidian cavalry were light horsemen from ancient Numidia (roughly modern-day Algeria and Tunisia) renowned as the finest skirmishers of the ancient Mediterranean world.
They rode small, swift horses without saddles or bridles, guiding their mounts with leg pressure alone while hurling javelins at enemies.
Both Carthage and Rome employed them as mercenaries and auxiliaries, and they proved decisive in battles like Cannae and Zama.
The term appears mainly in historical and military contexts discussing ancient warfare.
- javelinsSlender athletic projectiles
- skirmishingMinor military engagement
- HannibalCarthaginian military commander
- ZamaAncient North African battleground
- flankingAt the sides of
Scipio Africanus · hit-and-run tactics · bareback · ambush · mercenaries · irregular warfare · reconnaissance · tribal warfare · Punic Wars · North Africa · Berbers · Carthage · warhorses · harassing · mobility · ancient warfare · warriors · Roman Republic
- ancient armiesphalanx, legion, hoplites, heavy infantry, light infantry
- Punic WarsHannibal Barca, Scipio Africanus, Hannibal, Carthage, Scipio
- Roman cavalryauxiliaries, decurion, flanking, war horse
- cavalrydragoons, hussars, lancers, lancer, cuirassiers
Numidian cavalryheavy infantry
Armored foot soldiers
lancers · line infantry · phalanx · shock troops · cuirassiers
Numidian cavalryheavy infantry
Armored foot soldiers
hoplites · legionaries · siege equipment · war elephants · artillery