Best Cavalry in History?

[kenny]

Hail I read a post from Andrew rating the macedonian Cavalry as the best in history.I wonder if that would be the case along side some of histories elite cavalry forces.Itsoften been said on mumerous programes that the Monguls were about the best. Often stated they went straifght from cradle to saddle?
But in reflection I guess the Macedonians with the skill with horses and no aid from Stirrupos has to measure well with them.Could Andrew or any other cavarly experts give more detail and opiniuons of the Macedonian Cavalry. I agree they were the best but any body to put more meat on the bones.Kenny

[beausefaless]

Deleted

[kenny]

Andrew hailAlways good to get information and answers as to aspects I am not that genned up on. I acknowledge and understand the methods the Monghuls of all out angular attack. I recall once you thought thr Macedonian Phalanx would made Mongul Kebab. I have thought of this a great deal and throughout the armies of history I ffell against the Mongul hoard of 100 000 plus cavalry I do feel Alexander would have neede every ounce of his indenuitry. I doubt he could have gone on the offensive against such Cavarly numbers and with them coming from All sides his defences would have had to be solid all the way round.If indeed as l feel they would hold the charges maybe more than one only then could Alexander take the offensive.Andrew I feel its a close one to call through sheer numbers of cavalry and as you said an exceptional cavarly force? Unless Alexander did a Hannibal and lured the Monghuls into a bottle neck then anhialated them?But one advantage Alexander had over Ghengis Khans enemies was he was not likely to be scared shitless as the Monghuls were very good at causing. I do believe Alexander would have found a way but definately a hard nut to crack?I like your notes on the way Alexander divides his forces in to crack brigades as he ventured east. Iff you read. David Lonsdales Alexander Killer of men.. The last third of his book gives good description of these tactics.I always though that the Indian campaign was a basic chasing about the country side of bandits. But even with this Alexander had a wholesale plan of subdugation on the rebels and insergents. By killing and overunning and robbing these ancient terrorists of safe houses.Lonsdale gives a very good narrative on this score.Cheers Brother Of The sword.
Kenny

[kenny]

Andrew As a second thought. Alexander would have to protect his own cavalry to begin. His own cavalry would have been swallowed up by the thousands of Monguls.Kenny

[boris]

Its all credit to the excellent cavalry skills of the Companions, that they pulled off those tremendous victories.Although Mongol horse archers would probably take the Companion cavalry down, the Macedonian companions faced far greater adversity and won. The Persian heavy cavalry they where up against was no easy foe.

[alejandro]

Hi Kenny,Funny you mentioned a duel between the Macedonians and the Mongols.Arthur C. Clarke's book "Time's eye" depicts that very duel (amongst other things, it's not a military book), though doesn't expand on the strategies and tactics of it.Check it out if you're interested.Best,Alejandro