JJ-CTNUM-04B - NUMIDIAN LIGHT CAVALRY

Ancient authors, such as Polybius and Livy, tend to stress Carthage’s reliance on mercenary units, which is slightly misleading when applied to the Carthaginian army. While Carthage did employ mercenaries in the true sense of the word, Carthage’s usage of native African and Iberian recruits would not be true mercenaries as these peoples were subjects of Carthage. Also Carthage’s army was composed of recruits from its allies fighting for Carthage in accordance with bilateral treatise. The Numidian Kingdoms are an example who provided extensive light cavalry due to the close relationship between the two states.