#kataphraktos

[illustratus]

Imperial Byzantine Kataphraktoi crushing Fatimids, 995.

by Giuseppe Rava

[partikron]

The Cataphract - Inspired by Ancient Cavalry

Armored Core Fun Facts:

We first meet the heavily armored and imposing Cataphract in the story trailer for Armored Core VI, and then battle it a few times in-game. This beast, packing a hell of a punch and heavily armored, does justice to its historical inspiration.

The word "Cataphract" comes from the Greek "kataphraktos" (κατάφρακτος) meaning "completely enclosed" or simply "armored", and referred to heavy cavalry of Iranian origin known for both horse and rider being covered in scale armor, creating a very tanky unit that was hard to oppose.

These heavy cavalry were known for crashing into opposing infantry and scattering enemy soldiers, taking advantage of their heavy armor and weapons to send lightly armored infantry and cavalry into disarray and mow them down if possible, and though they originated around Iran, their use spread throughout Eurasia and North Africa.

The Cataphract in Armored Core VI is similarly beastly and intimidating, and you can only imagine what light work it would make of garden variety MTs based on how much trouble it causes for even small groups of ACs, and even the player (depending on your build).

[osha-stairs-department]

you'll never have an epithet as cool as Kataphraktos or Accipiter

I KNOW, OK!!!!!! YOU CAN STOP TAUNTING ME ABOUT IT!!!!!!

[uniquestream]

Aldnoah.Zero: Season 1 Episode 12 While Inaho and the others are carrying out their plan, they encounter Count Saazbaum’s Kataphraktos. Slaine, who had been trying to catch up to Princess Asseylum, finds himself in an unexpected situation. The fierce battle on the snowy field builds in intensity, and then—

[nebris]

Eastern Roman Cataphract (Kataphraktoi) Armor (7th – 10th century AD) 

The very term Cataphract (derived from Greek Kataphraktos – meaning ‘completely enclosed’ or ‘armored’) is historically used to denote a type of armored heavy cavalry that was originally used by ancient Iranian tribes, along with their nomadic and Eurasian brethren. To that end, the Eastern Romans adopted the cataphract-based mounted warfare from their eastern neighbors – the Parthians (and later Sassanid Persians), with the first units of the heavy cavalry being inducted into the Roman Empire army as mercenaries (probably raised from mounted Sarmatian auxiliaries). And interestingly enough, the subsequent Byzantine army maintained its elite units of cataphracts from antiquity till the early middle ages, thus ironically carrying on the tradition of eastern equestrianism.

In any case, the Eastern Roman Cataphract of the Byzantine Empire, fielded till 10th century, was known for its super-heavy armor and weapons (that included maces and rarely even bows). Typical contemporary descriptions of the cavalrymen mention the use of klibanion, a type of Byzantine lamellar cuirass that was crafted of metal bits sewn on leather or cloth pieces. This klibanion was often worn over a mail corselet, thus resulting in a heavy ‘composite’ armor, which was further reinforced by a padded armor worn under (or over) the corselet. This tremendously well-protected scope was complemented by other armor pieces, like vambraces, greaves, leather gauntlets and even mail hoods that were attached to the helmet.

[another-fantasy-boy]

Alt(ernative)+En(coun)ter - Disc:01 Kawaii is Justice by Binzokomegane Girls Union ― 侵略せし、冥闇。迎え撃つは、可憐。 Disc:01 - Kawaii is Justice Tr01. lapix - Asian OpenTaste Tr02. Snail's House - Sugary Girl Tr03. DJ Noriken - Marshmallow Snow Tr04. DJ Genki feat. ななひら - Hello, smile Tr05. Aiobahn - NonSugar Tr06. SYNTAX ERROR - Harmony Tr07. C-Show - After Tr08. Oblongar - Lilium Elysium Tr09. KOTONOHOUSE - tree berry Tr10. Stereoman - Fluffy Rabbit Tr11. 5u5h1 - Cerulean Disc:02 - Darkness Invasion Tr01. Ryunosuke Kudo - Johanna Tr02. Nago - Dark Nebula Tr03. KO3 & Relect - Outburst Tr04. Alinut - Assaulter Tr05. Verte-Rose - Kataphraktos Tr06. MK - Out of Charge Tr07. Yooh - Wirepuller Tr08. DJ Noriken - Helios Tr09. Clean Tears - System Crash Tr10. aran - Foggy Skyline

[dzhei]

Gifs

So I know that I promised some gifs a few posts back.  But ti turns out that Tumblr limits gif size to 2MB.  Which will simply not do for me.....  I guess I’ll just post it on Imgur then.  I’ll fix the ends of the gifs eventually. 

http://imgur.com/a/sS7zR

That link will Change.  But there are the raw gifs.

[theroleplayinghour]

More of the DM as a Byzantine Cataphract, with his medieval lady.

[uniquestream]

Aldnoah.Zero: Season 1 Episode 9 Inko and the others undergo piloting training in a Kataphraktos combat simulator. Inside, Rayet reflects on her hatred, anger, and fear towards the Mars Knights, as well as her own circumstances. Yagarai and Marito also use the simulator to recreate a past battle. And the truth of what happened on Tanegashima is revealed.

[uniquestream]

Aldnoah.Zero: Season 1 Episode 7 Inaho and the others are hard pressed in their fight against the Martian Kataphraktos. But then a mysterious fighter craft appears and joins the battle. Elsewhere, Darzana and her crew hide the damaged assault ship in a dock, and there, they discover a combat mecha of unknown origin.

[uniquestream]

Aldnoah.Zero: Season 1 Episode 2 The Landing Castles of the Mars Knights that have landed on Earth launched an attack using Kataphraktos with the aim of invading the planet. The United Forces of Earth launch a counteroffensive. As the fierce battle rages on, Inaho encounters a mysterious girl.

[theroleplayinghour]

More of the DM at the Gumeracha Medieval Fair 2013, dressed as a Byzantine Cataphract and with his Norman knight friend.

[theroleplayinghour]

The DM at the Gumeracha Medieval Fair 2013, as a Byzantine Cataphract, with a brave Norman knight.