Part 4/10:
The roots of cavalry warfare were established long before the battle at Carrhae, with the domestication of horses in Central Asia around 3500 B.C. This innovation revolutionized transportation and warfare. However, the emergence of the horse archer as a dominant force in battle was made possible by further technological advancements, such as the development of the composite recurved bow and socketed arrowheads.
The recurved bow’s design, which combined materials like wood, horn, and sinew, allowed for powerful and effective shooting from horseback. As the technology spread westward and eastward around 900 B.C.E., it fundamentally changed the nature of combat across Eurasia.