Turma! Charge of the Roman cavalry.
Just back from a top weekend in Carlisle watching many groups of experts and re-enactors coming together to put on a rather amazing Roman cavalry display. We had Legionary battles and displays, horse parades and mock-battles (Hippikia Gymnasia), all judged by Emperor Hadrian himself. And just how intimidating and spooky are the masked, plumed elite riders?!
One of the many things I took away from this was the sheer 'presence' of a turma. I have been guilty of writing about such a 30-strong group of horsemen as mere skirmish-fodder, but these guys showed just how much a unit this size, draped in full armour, standards and colours could inspire awe and fear in those they might be fighting or protecting. Here are a few pics:
Me and my mucker, Simon Turney, trying not to be trampled underhoof.
The Ermine Street Guard at work.
Hadrian and his elite riders.
The turma ranks cantering past.
The elites - how intimidating would it be to face them in their emotionless, steely masks and bright, rippling plumes?
Originally published at: http://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeb...
One of the many things I took away from this was the sheer 'presence' of a turma. I have been guilty of writing about such a 30-strong group of horsemen as mere skirmish-fodder, but these guys showed just how much a unit this size, draped in full armour, standards and colours could inspire awe and fear in those they might be fighting or protecting. Here are a few pics:
Me and my mucker, Simon Turney, trying not to be trampled underhoof.
The Ermine Street Guard at work.
Hadrian and his elite riders.
The turma ranks cantering past.
The elites - how intimidating would it be to face them in their emotionless, steely masks and bright, rippling plumes?
Originally published at: http://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeb...
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Jarrod
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Jul 02, 2017 06:57PM
Makes me imagine how dangerous real mounted warriors must have been. All they did was ride horses and train for combat their whole life. Definitely a formidable foe.
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Jarrod wrote: "Makes me imagine how dangerous real mounted warriors must have been. All they did was ride horses and train for combat their whole life. Definitely a formidable foe."Absolutely. Imagine standing to face a cavalry charge? Their appearance, the sound of them charging at you, the ground shivering underfoot. Everything. Yikes!
