VICTRIX Late Roman Cataphracts Sprues (x4 Cavalry) - 28mm Miniatures

Before the knights of western Europe rode out on the Crusades, the Roman Cataphracts thundered on the Empire's frontiers!

Two sprues — one of horses, one of riders — combine to build four armoured Late Roman Cataphract heavy cavalry in hard plastic. With a wide variety of head and armour styles, weapon options, poses, and standards, these figures can represent the thundering heavy cavalry of Rome from the 3rd century through to the Crusades.

What's in the Set

• 4 hard plastic Cataphract cavalry figures — fully armoured riders on fully armoured horses
• Weapon options: Kontos (lance) upright or levelled, plus swords and axes
• Multiple head variants and armour styles — mail, scales, and plates
• Horses in trotting poses with crisp scale armour and various head options including elaborate face guards
• Standards included for command figures
• Supplied unassembled and unpainted — bases not included

Historical Background

The Cataphract — a cavalryman covered from head to foot in armour of mail, scales, and plates, riding a fully armoured horse — was one of the most formidable battlefield weapons of the ancient and late antique world. Scale armour could be iron, bronze, horn, bone, or hardened leather, often in striking colours. Horse armour included elaborate metal or leather head pieces and eye-protecting mesh.

The first Cataphractarii regiments were introduced by Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century, but their numbers grew dramatically under Constantius II in the 4th century as Rome clashed repeatedly with the Sassanid Persians, who fielded Cataphracts and Clibanarii in great numbers.

In battle, Cataphracts advanced at the trot rather than the charge — their immense weight would exhaust a galloping horse. This kept the line steady for maximum impact of the long Kontos lance. When the Kontos broke, they reverted to sword or axe. Infantry feared them and had to form dense defensive blocks to have any hope of holding the line.

Game System Compatibility

• Hail Caesar — ideal for Late Roman and early Byzantine armies
• SAGA: Age of Hannibal / Age of Magic — excellent heavy cavalry option
• Pillage (Victrix) — a powerful addition to any late antique warband
• To the Strongest!, Sword & Spear — suitable for any ancients ruleset covering the 3rd–7th centuries
• Compatible with other Victrix Late Roman and Byzantine ranges for expanded forces
• Each purchase is for two sprues (4 cavalry figures)