Unit Browser for RTR: Imperium Surrectum

Short description

The heavy cavalry of the Getae was comprised of the aristocratic elite who relied on a close formation delivering a controlled, shock charge to the enemy.

Description

The heavy cavalry of the Getae was equipped in a manner akin to the Sarmatians, with a lance somewhat like the Sarmatian "kontos", and the lorica as armour or a bronze cuirass. This reflects the great influence that the Scythian-Sarmatian peoples of the steppe had upon the Getai of northern Thrace. The Getic lorica was different from that of the Sarmatians, however, as the armour resembled a shirt covering only the chest and the arms to the elbow and belly going down to the knees. These cavalrymen wore helmets made of metal or hard leather. The helmet was inclined towards the front, and some had an extension which covered the back of the neck. It was also richly decorated, with drawings and ornaments.

Through the excellence of their cavalry, the Getai won their title of "idomiti", the undefeated people. The social and aristocratic elite of the Getai, the tarabostes, formed these units, as they were able to afford the expensive armour and weaponry that marked these troops as elite.