CAVALRY EXAMPLES
CAVALRY 1
Line drawing - bas-relief - detail
Palace of Assurnasirpal II (884 - 859 BC)
Kalakh (Nimrud)
The relief depicts an Assyrian archer and his "squire." The tactical employment of the archers and "squires" whereby they operate in pairs indicates they were envisioned as "charioteers without their chariot." As in a chariot the warrior is the superior soldier. Note how the "squire" holds the reins of the archer's horse while the latter is in the process of firing.
CAVALRY 2
Reconstruction
Assyrian cavalry
Reign of Assurnasirpal II (883 - 859 BC)
In the foreground, an Assyrian mounted archer takes aim while his "squire" holds his horse's reins. Both riders employ the "donkey seat" when riding. The archer wears a brigadine cuirass and a conical iron helmet. His "squire," more simply attired as befits his lower rank, wears a simple iron skullcap. In the reign of Shalmaneser III (858 - 824 BC), this was replaced by an iron conical helmet of the type worn by the archer. Bronze bands let into or standing proud of the helmet were an indication of rank.
CAVALRY 3
Palace of Tiglath-Pileser III (745 - 727 BC)
Nimrud (Kalakh)
bas-relief - detail
British Museum, London
Assyrian cavalryman wearing a bronze lamellar cuirass and conical helmet. He is armed with a lance introduced into Assyrian service by Tiglath-Pileser III.
CAVALRY 4
Reconstruction
Tiglath-Pileser III (745 - 727 BC)
accompanied by Assyrian cavalryman
Tiglath-Pileser III was the first to introduce armoured cavalrymen equipped with bronze lamellar cuirasses and armed with lances. Horses are now ridden using a proper seat rather than the "donkey seat" as was previously the custom.
CAVALRY 5
Reconstruction
Sargonid cavalry, Urartian campaign, 714 BC
Depicted here are Assyrian cavalrymen from the reign of Sargon II (722 - 705 BC). Each cavalryman now carries both a long stabbing lance and a compound bow and quiver. Cavalry are thus capable of both carrying out missle attacks or engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Cavalry are also now equipped with footwear in the form of socks with lace-up boots.
CAVALRY 6
Nineveh (Kuyunjik)
bas-relief
detail
7th century BC
Louvre, Paris
Assyrian horseman wearing lamellar cuirass, conical helmet and jackboots, and equipped with lance, bow and quiver. Note how the quiver not only holds the soldier's arrows but his bow as well. The horse is now almost fully covered by fabric armour.
CAVALRY 7
Palace of Sennacherib (704 - 681 BC)
Nineveh
bas relief, detail
Assyrian cavalry on the march. In addition to their lamellar cuirasses, conical helmets, and jackboots, the cavalrymen carry lances, short swords, bows and arrows.
CAVALRY 8
Reconstruction
Assyrian cavalryman
reign of Ashurbanipal (668 - 627 BC)
The reconstruction illustrates the final appearance of cavalry before Assyria's demise.
