Kataphraktoi

Kataphraktoi were heavily armored, mounted cavalry in ancient Greece, particularly used by the Macedonians. These soldiers rode horse-drawn chariots or heavily armored horses and often carried powerful lances. Their main role was to shock and break through enemy lines during battles, providing both mobility and striking force. The term reflects their emphasis on mobility combined with substantial armor and weaponry, making them a formidable component of Hellenistic armies, especially in the conquests led by Alexander the Great.