The Importance of the Cataphract
November 10th 2008 17:34
The Importance of the Cataphract
The Cataphract and Knights
Why is this picture important? I've been reading up Iranian or if you prefer Persian History.
I've been reading up on Iranian history for an article I did elsewhere and as part of my research found this image.
Over the last decade and more there's been a lot of discussion about the influence of Sarmatian auxiliaries on the culture of Late Roman Britain and how their presence may have influence the Arthurian mythos. Thing is though the Sarmatians probably were on the only influence that lead to the British using some kind of cavalry that lead to legends of Arthur "inventing" knighthood".
Before the tradition of chivalry developed in Western Europe Pre-Islamic Iran had a tradition of "Champions" warriors on horse back skilled with sword bow and lance who were Protectors of the weak and innocent. Now these warriors of the Parthian and Sassanid eras and realms meet the Byzantine empire in combat and the Byzantines got the idea of heavy armored cavalry from them calling them CATAPHRACTS.
So that's a second possible source for the armored knight.
Lastly however there is a third option.
People often overlook that there was a maritime trade route from England to the Near East.
Pilgrimages to sites in the Holy Land followed this route bringing back books in Latin and Greek to Irish and British monasteries.
I do wonder if some merchant or monk brought back pictures in a book or on a trade object showing cataphracts, Byzantine or Persian, to Roman Britain?
Take one Romano-British "DUX" trying to organize a defence, add re-existing light cavalry, combine Sarmatian, Celtic, Roman, and Sassanian cavalry techinques and cultures, and the idea of the Knight being a Protector is born.
Plenty of knights were little more than armored thugs on horseback but the idea of chivalry haunted Europe's aristocracy along with legends about Arthur for centuries and still does.
One of its ancestors came from Iran?
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