Auxiliary Cantabrian Cavalry

Description

A specialist skirmish unit, the Cantabrians rode some of the finest mounts in the Iberian peninsula. These speedy and dextrous cavalrymen were renowned for their tactical skill, introducing their own distinct attack formation that best exploited their speed and skirmishing. In a 'Cantabrian Circle', the riders skilfully created a continually moving circle, making them difficult to target whilst ensuring a continuous shower of javelins rained down on the enemy. Incredibly effective at disrupting infantry lines, slow-moving heavy troops are their most obvious target. Enemies often broke ranks in an attempt to reduce casualties, but that played straight into the hands of the Iberian infantry. Having fallen victim to the Cantabrian circle on many occasions, the Romans later adopted it as a tactic for their own cavalry.