Roman Mounted Infantry?

[Torvus]

Did the Romans ever have a unit similar to the Dragoons of the 18th century? Y'know, an infantry unit that rode a horse to the battlefield, then dismounted to fight?

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

This was a Germanic specialty iirc. If the Romans had those, then as Auxilia.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Did the Romans ever have a unit similar to the Dragoons of the 18th century? Y'know, an infantry unit that rode a horse to the battlefield, then dismounted to fight?

Not specifically, no. Though the auxiliary cavalry seem to have been capable of perfoming this function. There are also instances of Equites dismounting during the Republican period, but this seems to have been in extremis.

[Uticensis]

I can't think of any example of such soldiers in the Republican or early Imperial Roman army. But in the sixth century Procopius describes Belisarius and Narses, whose armies were made up signifigantly of cavalry, dismounting cavalry when they needed infantry on the battlefield, and forming these dismounted horsemen into a "phalanx." Since a large number of soldiers in the army of the period were recruited from Germans, Slavs, and steppe people, this was tactic was probably adopted from the "barbarians."

[kekailoa]

Multiple descriptions of the Celts also outline this tactic.

[Titus Magnus]

idk, but alexander's companions did this(at granicus) idk if that helps ,since you're asking about roman cavalry.

[Atilius]

There is an incident from the Roman siege of Capua in 211 BC during the 2nd Punic War
which mentions skirmishers mounted in tandem with cavalrymen. In fighting around the
besieged city, the Romans infantry are usually successful against the Campanian foot,
but their cavalry are unable to beat the Campanian horse.

Livy 26.4:

A plan was at length adopted, by which their deficiency in strength might be
compensated by stratagem. Young men were selected from all the legions,
who, from the vigour and activity of their bodies, excelled in swiftness; these
were supplied with bucklers shorter than those worn by horsemen, and seven
javelins each, four feet in length, and pointed with steel in the same manner
as the spears used by light-armed troops. The cavalry taking one of these each
upon their horses, accustomed them to ride behind them, and to leap down nimbly
when the signal was given. When, by daily practice, they appeared to be able to
do this in an orderly manner, they advanced into the plain between the camp and
the walls, against the cavalry of the Campanians, who stood there prepared for
action. As soon as they came within a dart's cast, on a signal given, the light troops
leaped down, when a line of infantry formed out of the body of horse suddenly
rushed upon the cavalry of the enemy, and discharged their javelins one after
another with great rapidity; which being thrown in great numbers upon men and
horses indiscriminately, wounded a great many. The sudden and unsuspected
nature of the attack, however, occasioned still greater terror; and the cavalry
charging them, thus panic-struck, chased them with great slaughter as far as
their gates.

However, there is no indication in the sources that this experiment was repeated.

[Kasperl]

I can't think of any example of such soldiers in the Republican or early Imperial Roman army. But in the sixth century Procopius describes Belisarius and Narses, whose armies were made up signifigantly of cavalry, dismounting cavalry when they needed infantry on the battlefield, and forming these dismounted horsemen into a "phalanx." Since a large number of soldiers in the army of the period were recruited from Germans, Slavs, and steppe people, this was tactic was probably adopted from the "barbarians."

In fact, there're many evidences of Roman cavalry fighting dismounted intentionally, and most of the time they won the day by this desperate resort, except in Cannae of course, but that time it was just a fatal misunderstanding.

Livy 3.62

The Sabines called strategy to their aid, for, after giving their line an extent equal to that of the enemy, they kept 2000 men in reserve to make an impression on the Roman left when the battle was at its height. By this flank attack they had almost surrounded and were beginning to overpower that wing, when the cavalry of the two legions-about 600 strong-sprang from their horses and rushed to the front to support their comrades who were now giving way. They checked the enemy's advance and at the same time roused the courage of the infantry by sharing their danger, and appealing to their sense of shame, by showing that whilst the cavalry could fight either mounted or on foot, the infantry, trained to fight on foot, were inferior even to dismounted cavalry.

Livy 4.38

Now in all directions they were giving way; in vain did Sempronius the consul remonstrate and encourage, neither his authority nor his dignity was of any avail. They would soon have been completely routed had not Tempanius, a decurio of cavalry, retrieved by his ready courage the desperate position of affairs. He shouted to the cavalry to leap down from their horses if they wished the commonwealth to be safe, and all the troops of cavalry followed his direction as though it were the order of the consul. "Unless," he continued, "this bucklered cohort check the enemies' attack, there is an end of our sovereignty. Follow my spear as your standard! Show Romans and Volscians alike that no cavalry are a match for you as cavalry, no infantry a match for you as infantry!" This stirring appeal was answered by shouts of approval, and he strode on, holding his spear erect. Wherever they went they forced their way; holding their bucklers in front, they made for that part of the field where they saw their comrades in the greatest difficulty; in every direction where their onset carried them, they restored the battle, and undoubtedly, if so small a body could have attacked the entire line at once, the enemy would have been routed.

[mountaingoat]

someone wanting to make a mod with the ETW engine mm?

[Torvus]

that might be a cool thought, but I was interested in it because I'm writing a short story and was wondering if having Legionaries mounted on horses was historically feasible. the story is set during the Roman invasions of Scotland during the reign of Domitian, and since the Caledonians were fond of their guerrilla tactics, I thought maybe a unit of mounted Legionaries might be able to root out their little guerrilla camps.

[Macilrille]

That would be Batavian Auxilia instead. Both Celts and Germans especially are described to dismount to fight on foot, especially against heavier cavalry where they would dash between and under the horses, hamstringing them.

If you want legionaires on horseback... check why the Xth Legion is called "Equestris" by Caivs Ivlivs.


* Is it called th when using the X?