Numidian Tribesmen
The Numidian's have sometimes been hailed as the finest light cavalry ever. They learnt to ride from an early age. This in itself was not unusual - many nomadic cultures produced superb horsemen - but what makes the Numidians remarkable is the fact they did not use bits, reins, bridles or saddles.
Control of the horse was achieved by verbal commands and a stick. A plaited rope was tied around the base of the horses neck. The tribesmen, riding bareback, wore only a simple tunic for dress. The only protection they had was a small circular shield, and their chief arms were spears and javelins.
Numidian Tactics
The Numidians fought in large numbers in the armies of Carthage, providing invaluable light cavalry. They provided scouting parties and conducted raids. In battle, they usually fought on the flanks of the army, driving off opposing cavalry by wheer weight of numbers. Their horsemanship was superb: they could halt, change direction, mount a feigned retreat, or pursue a fleeing foe with a swiftness and ease which surpassed belief. They would shower the enemy with javelins before closing in for hand to hand combat, where their superior numbers usually made up for their lack of heavy weaponry and armour.
Ancient historians repeatedly stress their agility and speed. If necessary, they could dismount and fight on foot, and some historians believe that they carried slings for this purpose.
Their horses were small, tough and strong, filled with boundless stamina. The modern Barb, a breed of horse native to North Africa, could well be the result of Arab horses breeding with the descendants of Numidian horses.
Over the centuries, they would change masters many times. They were especially popular when Carthage was fighting to subdue her Spanish territories: the Celtiberians were renowned horsemen in their own right, and the Numidians were perfectly suited to fighting them in the rugged terrain of the Iberian peninsula. Numidians served in all of the Punic Wars: they abandoned Hannibal in favour of Scipio on the eve before Zama, and the loss of these fine warriors undoubtedly contributed to Hannibals defeat. The Numidian King Jugurtha was to prove an implacable enemy of Rome for many years before finally being defeated and captured. Once Numidia became part of the Roman Empire, her cavalry continued to serve in Roman armies.
Sources:
Rome and Her Enemies Edited by Jane Penrose Osprey, 2005
Warfare in the Classical World John Warry University of Oklahoma Press, 1995
