Warfare in Ancient Ultmar: Difference between revisions

=Introduction of Horses=

The introduction of horses into Gallia, in particular, was a major shock to warfare in the region. Initially, Latin cavalry held a huge advantage over Faeskt troops, who rarely used ranged weapons, as well as the lighter and less organized Fhainnin skirmish troops. This would lead to an arms race by Gaelic tribes and states to capture, buy, and breed warhorses of their own. which inadvertently lead to Gaelic mercenaries such as the [[Leukahippoi]] being scattered across Levantia and even Sarpedon in search of suitable horses worth more than their weight in gold or spices.

In Faneria, horses became an enormous status symbol. Earlier breeds had been seen as mere amusements, but draft horses became crucial to farming and trade quickly, and the effect of Latin cavalry was readily apparent. From the [[Gallian War]] onwards, Fhainnin city-states and principalities sought to obtain horses, eventually being able to field full wings of cavalry. Such cavalry were essential in the [[Gothic War]] in the 700s, but mercenary experience fighting Audonian invaders in Sarpedon, along with the natural evolution of warfare in Levantia itself, gave rise to a professional class of soldier called ''Ardceiterninn'', who served as part of an ''Adrceitern'' in battle. These soldiers continued to use javelins and swords, but additionally took up shortbows along with rounded wooden shields and metal armor (most commonly mail coats or lamellar designs copied from Latin and Coscivian designs). Most also trained to fight on foot as their ''Ceiterninn'' auxiliaries did, largely replacing both other cavalry and heavier foot skirmishers by the tenth century. While not bearing the same degree of social prestige or the full plate of later Latin knights, these soldiers typically fought with similar discipline and pride, earning a reputation as competent bodyguards and cavalry mercenaries throughout the Occident.

[[Category:History]]