Quote Originally Posted by Grimmy
Cavalry has always been powerful and decisive on battlefields. First, prior to impact charges, by being able to quickly flank infantry and out manuvere foot soldiers.
After the development of impact charges, foot soldiers would often run at the mear threat of a horse charge.
The cavalry in Medieval II is way more realistic than that of Rome. There is no way that the Roman would have ever been able to fight on horseback like they did in that game. Cavalry in the ancient world, with very few exceptions, was not used as the main force of an army. They were primarily used for guarding the flanks of an infantry line or chasing down routers.

It wasn't until the stirrup reached Europe that cavalry became not only important, but the essential force in warfare.