<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>african missile cavalry numidian</full_name><dictionary>african_missile_cavalry_numidian</dictionary><category>cavalry</category><class>missile</class><voice_type>General_1</voice_type><soldier><name>african_cavalry_numidiancavalry</name><soldiers>25</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1</mass></soldier><mount>javelin horse</mount><mount_effect>elephant +1, chariot +2</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, cantabrian_circle, very_hardy</attributes><formation><side_spacing>3</side_spacing><front_spacing>4</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>6</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>6</loose_front_spacing><ranks>5</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>2</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>6</attack><charge>24</charge><missile_type>javelin</missile_type><range>60.5</range><ammo>8</ammo><weapon_type>thrown</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>10</min_delay><lethality>1</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>thrown</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>3</attack><charge>24</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>160</min_delay><lethality>0.33</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>ap</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>11</def_skill><shield>2</shield><sound>flesh</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>flesh</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>0</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>-2</forest><snow>-2</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>11</morale><discipline>normal</discipline><training>untrained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>2076</cost><upkeep>519</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>150</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>70</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>2076</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>slave, saba, romans_julii, romans_brutii, numidia, macedon, thrace, greek_cities, carthage, romans_scipii, parthia, gauls, britons, scythia, dacia, germans, spain, egypt, armenia, pontus, seleucid</ownership><description><name>Parasim Numidim (Numidian Cavalry)</name><short>Numidian cavalry are superb skirmish cavalry that weaken the enemy with javelins.</short><long>Superior
Very Hardy
Can Form Cantabrian Circle

Numidia produces some of the finest cavalry in all Africa, if not the Western Mediterranean world. Armed with javelins, these mounted skirmishers can be a nightmare for an opponent as it can prove practically impossible to pin them down in combat. Their tactics are to pelt the enemy with deadly volleys of javelins, and then swiftly retreat when charged. If the enemy stand, they are slaughtered with volleys of javelins, and if they run the Numidian cavalry can ride them down! Their horses, even tough they are small, have excellent stamina and mobility.

Instinctive riders, the Numidians are famed for not using a saddle or reins, using only a stick to direct their horses. Nevertheless, they maneuver with the "grace of a flock of birds". Having adapted to the broken expanses of their homelands, Numidian cavalry have great stamina, and they are also experts in their form of the Cantabrian circle attack.

Historically, Numidia was a territory to the west and south of Carthage. Their people were Berber tribes that had a semi-nomadic existence. Numidian justice was extremely harsh on deserters and cowards: crucifixion was a common punishment.

Hannibal used these horsemen with supreme skill during his war against Rome. Some examples are the Battle of Trebbia, were the Numidian cavalry engage the Romans and draw them out before they were fully prepared for battle, or the Battle of Cannae in were the Numidian cavalry pinned the cavalry in the Roman left flank until the Carthaginian heavy cavalry arrived to give the decisive blow. After the Second Punic War, the Numidians fought for and against the Romans. Even tough, the Romans had to fight the Numidian cavalry in their war against the Numidian king, Jugurtha, these horsemen were invaluable as auxiliary cavalry for them.</long></description></unit>