This fascinating study combines the latest archaeological research
with an analysis of the available literary and non-literary evidence to
examine the organization, equipment, and tactics of the Numidian
warriors who fought in conflicts across the ancient Mediterranean as
part of the armies of Carthage and Rome between 300 BC and AD 300.
The Numidian light cavalry were among the best-known horsemen in the
ancient world: riding without saddles or bridle, carrying only hide
shields for defense and clutching a handful of light javelins, they were
renowned for their darting attacks, swift retreats, and skirmishing
prowess. Yet, as much as they were respected by their allies and
enemies, they were unfairly derided for their indiscipline, their
perceived lack of culture, and their fecklessness, and dismissed as
uncivilized, nomadic barbarians from beyond the fringes of the cultured,
settled Mediterranean world. The famous portrayal of Numidian horsemen
on Trajan's Column, of barefoot riders in simple tunics, astride tiny
ponies, reinforces this view, and is the image that is almost
universally reproduced.
Recent scholarship, however, has shown that there is far more evidence
for the armour and equipment of the Numidians than hitherto assumed. The
carved stone shields and cuirasses that punctuate the decorative friezes
of the stone altars at Kbor Klib and Chimtou in North Africa are
confident representations of Numidian panoplies, not captured
Carthaginian armour as has previously been argued. In this book, this
research is presented alongside a close examination of various ancient
texts which reveals that the Numidians also fielded infantry, slingers,
archers, and even war elephants in conflicts across the Mediterranean,
including Spain, Greece, northern Italy, and Thrace. All of these troops
are brought to life in original colour artwork, complemented by chapters
on their weapons and equipment, history, tactics, and organization.
