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A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



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softened and spoiled with the rain to such an extent as 

 soon to render them worthless. The early Roman 

 cavalry carried swords as well as lances and javelins.' 

 As they were very lightly armed, in fact almost destitute 

 of protection, they incurred great risks in action. 



They afterwards improved their cavalry by borrowing 

 the system of the Greeks. They adopted a lance longer 

 and stronger and ironed at botli ends, the handle being 

 almost one-third from the rear end. The bucklers were 

 also improved, were made smaller and stronger, and of a 

 square or oblong form. The swords were broad in the 

 blade, only thirteen inches long, and very sharp in the 

 point. They were worn on the right thigh until the 

 time of Vespasian, when they were put on the left, and 

 a dagger worn on the right.'* Helmets were also worn 

 at first of leather, afterwards of metal. At the time that 

 the cavalry were without defensive armour, the infantry 

 were all supplied with cuirasses. Although we see 

 that in the battle already referred to, which took 

 place between Brutus and the Tarquins, the cavalry 

 commenced the action, it must not be supposed on 

 that account that the cavalry were in the habit of 

 opening the battle, for we see many instances where the 

 cavalry were in the rear as a reserve, and in the crisis of 

 the engagement were brought up on foot to the aid of the 

 infantry. One instance occurred at Lake Regillus, another 

 in the action between the Romans and the Sabines in 

 447 B.C., and again in the case of Sextus Tempanius, 

 all of which actions are referred to in this chapter. 



The reason for the cavalry opening the action between 

 Brutus and Tarquin is easily gathered from the account 

 in Livy, which says that Brutus marched before with his 

 iiorse to reconnoitre. Aruns Tarquin with the enemy's 

 horse came np in the same way, and when he recognised 

 Brutus, accompanied by the lictors of a consul, all in- 

 flamed with rage, he cried out, " There is the villain 

 who has banished us from our native country ! See how 

 he rides adorned with the ensigns of our dignity. Now 

 assist me, gods, the avengers of kings!" and he put 

 1 Bardin, 1118. 2 Roemer, 279. 



