Assyrian Raiders

Known for their sweeping raids across desert and plain, these horsemen seek wealth and power for the empire.

It is believed that horses were domesticated in Mesopotamia in approximately the 19th century BCE. Used as draft or riding animals, the invention of the first saddles brought horses onto the battlefield. While most civilizations in the ancient Eastern world used hitched war chariots, the Assyrians were noted for riding on horseback. They made use of a vast, well-trained cavalry from the 9th to the 8th centuries BCE, taking advantage of improvements to saddles to combine horse riders and composite bows to great effect. The deep saddles provided good stability, allowing Assyrian riders to fire while galloping. The riders were also equipped with a short lance to use when charging, and their horses could be caparisoned to protect them from arrows.