Cavalry is a formidable weapon of the past epochs

The armies of all times and peoples were subdivided and subdivided into different kinds of troops. Cavalry (cavalry) - this is a special kind, where as a means of transportation of the fighter used riding horses. The word "cavalry" came from the Latin "caballus", which means "horse". Accordingly, the Russian word "cavalry" is an etymological tracing of the concept, its translation into our language.

Value

Prior to the active use of mobile mechanical weapons (for example, tanks), cavalry is a formidable and powerful, often-awesome form, an army that has helped to win more than one battle of antiquity. Since the cavalry had a high maneuverability, the ability to quickly overcome fairly large stretches of terrain, it was often used to achieve a surprise factor in battles. In the era of technological progress, of course, it lost its original significance, giving way, for example, to mobile motorcycle teams. But during the Second World War, the cavalry was still used in the guerrilla movement and even in battles, along with infantry and artillery.

Classification

Since the beginning of its existence cavalry has been divided into heavy and light. Light was intended for conducting reconnaissance activity and guard service. Armament - light spears, darts, bows, swords and swords. Heavy cavalry is the striking force for achieving the power of the offensive. For example, the knight's was armed with heavy spears and swords. And the knights themselves (and, often, their horses) were encased in multi-kilogram armor. Knight's cavalry had an awesome appearance. From one glance the enemy had a desire to retreat. However, the main shortcoming of heavy cavalry was in its slowness and lack of maneuverability, which, of course, played a cruel joke on it in some battles (for example, in the battle of the Crusaders with the Russians, known as the Battle of the Ice).

First cavalry

Initially, cavalry appears as irregular troops even in the Ancient World: China. India, and Egypt. And before its appearance, war chariots using horses were used. So in the Persian army even before our era, cavalry is the main line of troops, which was divided into light and heavy cavalry using a variety of weapons. And in Ancient Greece in Athens contained a horse detachment of more than a thousand horsemen. In the army of Macedon, conquered half the world, the cavalry also occupied not the last place and decided the fate of almost all battles in Asia.