Drawing of a Numidian cavalryman in Spain

[Dave Knight]

https://english.elpais.com/culture/2022-12-15/study-sheds-light-on-mysterious-mounted-warrior-from-africa-who-fought-the-roman-legions.html

[Duncan Head]

Very interesting - thanks, David. Perea Yébenes's original article (in Spanish) is available in pdf from  https://ojs.unica.it/index.php/caster/article/view/5229

The figure does look overall plausible as a Numidian; the author admits that the horse-furniture has both African and Spanish features - I think it looks more Spanish, and I wouldn't like to rule out the idea of the rider being an Iberian as previously suggested.

[DBS]

Very interesting - thanks, David. Perea Yébenes's original article (in Spanish) is available in pdf from  https://ojs.unica.it/index.php/caster/article/view/5229

The figure does look overall plausible as a Numidian; the author admits that the horse-furniture has both African and Spanish features - I think it looks more Spanish, and I wouldn't like to rule out the idea of the rider being an Iberian as previously suggested.

If in hunting rather than warrior guise, the paucity of other equipment would not indicate against an Iberian either.

[Jim Webster]

I suppose it might depend how long a Numidian had been serving outside Africa. We know that some had several horses (Livy mentions it with Hannibal's Numidians) and as horses went lame or died, they would have to be replaced. Spanish horses would be easier to get than importing ponies from overseas.
I suspect that Numidians were quicker to adjust to Spanish tack than Spanish horses were to adjust to being tacked up 'in Numidian fashion'
I often wonder how many African horses were left among the Numidian horsemen in Italy during Hannibal's campaigns

[DBS]

Indeed, and there is also the inherent assumption that "simple savages" like the Numidians were somehow resistant to a bit of bling for their horses if opportunity came their way.  A Numidian who had been serving any length of time in Spain and engaged in active campaigning might well have had plenty of opportunity to tart up both the nag and himself.

[Erpingham]

Indeed, and there is also the inherent assumption that "simple savages" like the Numidians were somehow resistant to a bit of bling for their horses if opportunity came their way.  A Numidian who had been serving any length of time in Spain and engaged in active campaigning might well have had plenty of opportunity to tart up both the nag and himself.

A sort of ancient version of "Pimp my Ride"?

It would be useful to have a better line drawing of the piece to test the accuracy of the rough sketch, especially where the rider is concerned.

[Swampster]

The blingiest bit is perhaps the plume on the horse's head. I think, though, that the original item had this missing so this is artistic licence.