 Editor in Chief Bill   | 22 Oct 2015 4:20 p.m. PST |
What is the function of chariot runners? * dismounted crew fighting in support of their chariot in a melee?
* light troops operating in support of chariots?
* a misconception of army list makers?
etc. |
| mwindsorfw | 22 Oct 2015 5:05 p.m. PST |
If Homer is to believed, chariots took the leaders/heroes into battle, dismounted, and then fought in single combat. Not sure if that helps. |
| Maddaz111 | 22 Oct 2015 6:01 p.m. PST |
runners ran with the chariot, (maybe hopping on board in relays), remember chariots are not deploying at cavalry speeds. When troops did engage, the chariot runners were using ranged weapons to support chariots, and were to act as a ready supply of replacement crew. the cluster of chariot runners were also probably a rally point for each division of chariots. |
| Generalstoner49 | 22 Oct 2015 7:43 p.m. PST |
I always thought they were there to keep missile-armed light infantry at bay. Light infantry with short bows or javelins could make short work of chariots by killing the crew or worse the horses pulling the chariot. |
| Lewisgunner | 23 Oct 2015 1:51 a.m. PST |
I doubt they could be repoacement crew. Being a chariot driver or warrior is a very high status, high skill occupation, being a grunt on foot with a few javelins is not. |
| Martin Rapier | 23 Oct 2015 6:12 a.m. PST |
Proper chariot runners are heroic chaps who run up and down the bit of wood towbar thing showing how brave they are. Yes, I did convert one of the Airfix wounded Ancient Britons into such a heroic chap (and replaced the chariot wheels). As for all those others mentioned above, they are factored in. Chariot +2. |
 miniMo  | 23 Oct 2015 4:00 p.m. PST |
I'm quite certain: * Run around in the near vicinity of chariots and do something useful. |
| mashrewba | 24 Oct 2015 6:17 a.m. PST |
Probably just a sort of entourage of sycophants and general hangers on LOL |
| Gunfreak | 24 Oct 2015 8:55 a.m. PST |
Taking pictures to send home, to show how cool (and totally not useless) chariots are. |
 Herkybird | 25 Oct 2015 2:14 a.m. PST |
I guess a similar role to the light infantry supporting early German cavalry, which Caesar describes in the Germania. They were able to keep up with the horse according to him, being selected men.
Infantry supporting cavalry in medieval times could slip between the riders and stab the horses. Then we have infantry riding tanks, dismounting to deal with anti-tank units. |
| colin knight | 28 Oct 2015 9:23 a.m. PST |
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