CĂTĂPHRACTI

( κατάφρακτοι ). (1) Heavy-armed cavalry, the horses of which were also covered with defensive armour. Among many of the Eastern nations, who placed their chief dependence upon their cavalry, we find horses protected in this manner; but among the Romans we do not read of any troops of this description till the later times of the empire, when the discipline of the legions was destroyed, and the chief dependence began to be placed on the cavalry. This species of troops was common among the Persians from the earliest times, from whom it was adopted by their Maced on i an conquerors. They were called by the Persians clibanarii .—(2) Decked ve els, in opposition to Aphracti .