Los catafractos

http://comitatus.net/greekcataphract.html

The Seleucid CavalryAsclepiodotus (1.3) using Poseidonius gives some pointers on Greek cavalry. But Aelian (2. 11-13) and Arrian (4. 1-6) are more useful. Both give us cataphracts and unarmoured cavalry (aphraktoi). The unarmoured cavalry are further divided into a sort of lancer (doratophoroi, sarisophorai, kontophoroi, xystophoroi or lochophoroi depending on the weapon) and missile cavalry (akrobolistai). The cavalry with shorter spears could also carry shields (thureoi) and were called thureophoroi. Akrobolistai could use horse archery, throw javelins as "Tarentines" or hippakontista in Aelian (3.13). Some Tarentines could throw javelins and encage in combat.

La caballería seléucida

Asclepiodotus (1.3) usando a Posidonio da algunas indicaciones sobre la caballería griega. Pero Eliano (2. 11-13) y Arriano (4. 1-6) son más útiles. Ambos nos hablan de catafractos y caballería sin coraza (aphraktoi). La caballería sin coraza se divide a su vez en una especie de lancero (doratophoroi, sarisophorai, kontophoroi, xystophoroi o lochophoroi dependiendo del arma) y en caballería de proyéctil (akrobolistai). La caballería con lanzas más cortas también podría llevar escudos (thureoi) y eran llamados thureophoroi. Akrobolistai podrían ser arqueros a caballo, lanzadores de jabalinas como los "tarentinos" o hippakontista en Eliano (3.13). Algunos tarentinos podrían lanzar jabalinas y entrar en combate.

In terms of the Seleucids the cavalry at the Daphnae parade in around 166 BC are described in Polybius (30.25.3-11). We are probably looking at a cadre of regiments which could be expanded in war time. The cataphracts are described as wearing purple surcoats, many embroidered in gold with animal designs, probably elephants and bees, typical Seleucid badges. Man and horses were both armoured. We don't read of cataphracts in the Seleucid army until Livy in 192 BC, and they are at Magnesia in 190 BC. But they may have been around since Antiochus the Great (210-206 BC).

En cuanto a los Seléucidas la caballería en el desfile de Dafne en torno al 166 a. C. es descrita en Polibio (30.25.3-11). Probablemente nos encontramos ante un grupo de regimientos que podría ampliarse en tiempos de guerra. Los catafractos son descritos usando sobretodos de color púrpura, muchos bordado de oro con diseños de animales, probablemente elefantes y abejas, insignias seléucidas típicas. Hombres y caballos estaban acorazados. No oimos hablar de los catafractos en el ejército seléucida hasta Livio en 192 a. C., y los encontramos en Magnesia en el 190 antes de Cristo. Pero pueden haber estado presentes desde Antíoco el Grande (210-206 a. C.).

They were probably non-Greeks, such as Iranians. People normally paint such troops very much like Parthian and Sasanian armoured cavalry. But there is very little evidence of Selucid cataphracts. There is a set of armour from Ai-Khanoum in Afghanistan using both scale and lamellar which does mirror the Pergamon reliefs which are well known. But the senior regiment, the Agema or "those that lead" were probably Medes and armed as cataphracts. As were the next regiment, the Nisaian. The Companions the Friends are probably Greek/Macedonians who are almost as heavily armed as cataphracts.

So, ignoring the other regiments you have Median and Iranian cataphracts, plus slightly lighter armed Hellenistic units perhaps using more western inspired plate armour.

In terms of weapons Plutarch writes that Armenian cataphracts used the kontos in 69 BC. He also mentions that the knees were left bare. No other weapons are mentioned in relation to Hellenistic cataphracts.

Conclusion

It is hard to escape the conclusion that a Seleucid cataphract would be relatively eastern, using lamellar and scale with limited western influences. They would be probably be armed with a kontos, a two handed weapon of at least 12 feet. The kontos was probably heavier than the old xyston, and used two-handed. It may have been an eastern weapon, or not. They would not have used shields, if nothing else because it would be hard to wear armour on the left arm and carry any form of pelta.

And they would have formed alongside "Macedonian" elite units, slightly less heavily armoured, perhaps using shields and 9 foot weapons. A sort of almost cataphract!