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5 months ago in Ancient Military History By Himanshu
Why is Alexander’s cavalry often described as the first effective shock cavalry?
I’ve read that Alexander the Great’s Companion Cavalry were revolutionary in how they fought. Were they really the first cavalry force to carry out a true shock charge against unbroken enemy cavalry formations?
All Answers (2 Answers In All)
By Nirav Answered 2 months ago
Replied 2 months ago
By Himanshu
Thank you, this is really helpful Nirav.
Reply to Nirav
By Shahruddin Jafri Answered 1 month ago
From a practical perspective, what made Alexander’s cavalry revolutionary was training and morale. The Companions were elite troops, loyal and experienced, which meant they could execute complex maneuvers like angled wedges or flanking charges reliably. Combined with the long lances that gave them reach over standard cavalry, this created a shock effect that was both physical and psychological, often breaking enemy morale before the full fight even began.
Replied 1 month ago
By Himanshu
Really insightful, thank you Shahruddin.
Reply to Shahruddin Jafri
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