I'd agree that Roman "Knights" were probably cavalry rather than
mounted in chariots. The reason I suggest some may have been used is
Etruscan influence. The Etruscans are neighbours of Rome, several
Roman noble families have Etruscan names, and several Roman kings
were actually Etruscan. Since the Etruscans definitely used chariots
(it's described in histories, they've been found by archaeologists,
and vase and wall paintings show some) I think it's just possible
some important "Romans" with Etruscan backgrounds may have used them.
My early Roman army I used in wargames never had any chariots though.
More generally on chariots they were used in warfare for over 3000
years. The earliest are Sumerian battle cars from 2900 BC, with four
solid disk wheels, with a driver and often a King in the back, pulled
by four equids, usually onagers but sometimes mules or donkeys. The
latest are probably Irish chariots with a driver and one warrior
pulled by two ponies in around 400AD. I think there are really four
things they're used for in that time.
First, you have the chariot as a mobile missile platform. The
earliest examples probably come from the south Russian steppes, and
move into the Middle East around 1500BC. These are incredibly light
vehicles with spoked wheels, a two-man crew with a driver and an
archer, and two horses. This sort of vehicle spreads all over the
Middle East, Egypt, Persia, India and to China. They get bigger and
heavier, adding more crew and more horses. The Assyrian chariots at
the end of their empire have a driver, an archer, and two shieldbearers,
and are pulled by four lightly armoured horses. Tactically
the early chariots skirmish with each other and try to outflank
infantry to charge flanks. The big Assyrian ones aren't much use for
skirmishing! They're probably used against the flanks of infantry
with cavalry in support. If they can catch them they should be able
to charge any contemporary cavalry and win. In Glorantha I'd think
Dara Happa might use this sort of chariot. Horses, bows and spears
are associated with chariots and with the sun worshippers.
Secondly, the scythed chariots you mention. Historically they're used
first by the Persians against Greek hoplites and against Alexander
the Great. Subsequently several of Alexander's successors use them
against each other and against the Romans. You're quite right that
they were supposed to be charged into heavy infantry by drivers who
bale out at the last moment, and that they were rarely any use. I
only know of one success, but some Seleucid ones that turned away
when the drivers baled out too soon smashed the Seleucid left flank
at Magnesia and plenty of other people got no benefit, which makes me
wonder why anyone bothered.
Third, chariots in use as battlefield "taxis" carrying around men who
will fight on foot most of the time. Someone mentioned the Britons
fighting Caesar, and Homer also describes this style of warfare. The
Assyrians and the Elamites in the Middle East used light carts to
move archers around the battlefield fast, lots of Celts used chariots
to move elite warriors around, and the Greek colony of Kyrene in
modern Libya moved hoplites in chariots to prevent fatigue and
probably thirst. The Britons, Caledonians and Irish are still using
chariots this way to fight against the Romans. It sounds like the way
that Orlanthi might use chariots, with an important warrior being
moved around the battlefield to bring their superior skill to bear at
important points, and sometimes to be got out of trouble fast by his
charioteer. I don't think that "contemporary" Heortlings would use
chariots since there are perfectly good horses available to ride, but
there is probably a tradition of use.
Finally, some chariots are used just for prestige and as command
vehicles. A commander in a chariot is visible over the heads of
infantry and can also see over them. Right to the end of the Persian
Empire the king was expected to ride in a chariot, and in Han Chinese
armies the generals are often the only people riding in chariots.
There is also a very neat Chinese chariot that has a ten-foot high
platform for the general and some signallers to sit on and control
the battle.
Powered by hypermail