According to SC and ROC, Sun County does not maintain its own mounted fighting force. SC does state that they use bows in skirmisher formations and utilize these against the nomads effectively.
Ward Ballard:
> But It can be done with disiplined enough troops. The Romans vs Parthians
>shows one way. Relying partially on heavier armor, short charges towards the
>archers by alternating blocks of infantry with the archers getting more
>disorganized with each withdrawl.
Actually, if I remember my history correctly, the Romans didn't fare very well against the Parthians in the open. It was only in the hills and civilized areas that the Romans did well, where cavalry couldn't out flank the Roman legion. See the battle of Carrhae.
Stephen Martin:
>So, when are we changing the name of the digest to the Gloranthan Pole
>Arm Digest? :)
Funny. Actually, I thought the discussion was more along the lines of what type of troops/tactics to the Sun Domers imploy. More interesting IMO that the cat vs. dog debates. Also, something I know much more about.
Jose Ramos:
> Tactics. According to RoC, the Yelmalions had light chariots, and
>the geas show they were good archers. Heavy infantry supported by chariots
>and archers is a quite nasty combination (the assyrians come to mind), and
>even without support, the greek hoplites (who the Templars resemble more
>than the pikemen, IMO) were mercenaries renowned in the ancient world
>(Xenophon, anyone).
However, they don't use chariots anymore.
> The Yelmalions in Sun County are specialized as mercenaries for the
>nomads (who else could hire them the last five hundred years). So the
>support elements disappeared to leave the only thing the nomads could not
>provide, a core of dependable heavy infantry. Besides, they evolved a small
>unit organization to impede and punish any nomad depredation of their lands.
>
I would think the Yelmalions would be used by more people than just the nomads. The Lunar empire could use them as could the city of Pavis at various times in history.
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