At Thebes also this arm had consideration in the time of Epaminondas.

But the cavalry of Thessaly was the most renowned, and both Philip and Alexander drew their mounted troops from that country.
The Romans had made but little progress in this arm when they encountered the Thessalians, who fought in the army of Pyrrhus.

They then increased their cavalry, but it was not numerous till after their wars with the Carthaginians.

Scipio organized and disciplined the Roman cavalry like that of the Numidians.

This arm was supplied from the ranks of the richest citizens, and afterwards formed an order intermediary between the Senate and the people, under the name of _knights_.
At a later period, the cavalry of the Gauls was particularly good.