Cavalery question

[The Persian Cataphract]

Or giraffes.

[Jaume]

*Cough*camels*cough*

And those cute, sparkly elephants as well.

And, recently, tanks.

Or giraffes.

In its etymology, the word "caballus" (from where "cavalry" comes) was first used around S.III aC, replacing the Latin word "equus" (which is Classical Latin). Around those years the same process happened to words like "magnus" (great), who had been replaced for "grandis", "ludere" (to play), who had been replaced for "jocare", or "cruor" (blood) who had been replaced for "sanguis".

And yes, "equus" means exactly HORSE. So I assume that cavalry it's only about horses. Camels, elephants, tanks, giraffes and tanks driven by giraffes are called, in Spanish, "tropas montadas", which literally means "Ridden troops".

[Foot]

Cavalry was used to designate soldiers mounted on horseback, it was not usually extended to other animals such as camels, elephants or giraffes. In modern warfare Cavalry now designates units that fill the roles previously assigned to light-horse or cavalry regiments. Units that fill the roles of heavy cavalry are referred to as armour (or "armor" if you are a "u" hating American).

Foot

[The Persian Cataphract]

...Deviating from my oh-so-funny humour, this is also partly why there are a few constructs applying to other mount animals; Cavalry is clearly derivated from, as Jaume pointed out, from the latin "equus". Equus Caballus is actually a biological designation for the horse, which ultimately gives the military unit as mounted on horse-back "Cavalry".

Hence the following:

Chariots: Chariotry
Camels: Camelry
Elephants: Elephantry

And finally, the beloved giraffalry.

[Nirvanish]

And finally, the beloved giraffalry.

LOL

[Jaume]

I do demand a giraffalry unit in Europa Barbarorum NOW .

[Strategos Alexandros]

I do demand a giraffalry unit in Europa Barbarorum NOW .

In Europe?
You'd need to make Savannah Total War.

[Spartan198]

I do demand a giraffalry unit in Europa Barbarorum NOW .

Seconded!