Parthian shot

 ( Diversionary Tactics ) 

The Parthian shot is a light cavalry hit-and-run tactic made famous by the Parthian Empire, an ancient Iranian peoples. While performing a real or feigned retreat at full gallop, the would turn their bodies back to shoot at the pursuing enemy. The maneuver required superb equestrianism skills, since the rider's hands were occupied by his composite bow and his body was twisted around. As the stirrup had not been invented at the time of the Parthians, the rider relied solely on balance to stay mounted and guide his horse.

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History In addition to the Parthians and their successors, the Sasanian Empire, this tactic was used by most Eurasian nomads of the Eurasian Steppe, including the Scythians, Adrienne Mayor: "The Amazons" | Talks at Google Xiongnu, Huns, Turkic peoples, Hungarians, Koreans, Mongols, as well as the Urartu and the Comanche.

The Parthians used the tactic to great effect in their victory over the Ancient Rome general Crassus in the Battle of Carrhae.

A tactic similar to the Parthian shot was attributed to the from Sidon by Silius Italicus.Silius Italicus, Punica

The tactic was also later used by Persians in battle of Karnal 1739 against Mughals, by Muslim conqueror Muhammad of Ghor in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 against Indian elephants, heavy cavalry and heavy infantry, by Alp Arslan in the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 against the Byzantines, and by Subutai in the Battle of Legnica in 1241 against Polish .

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As metaphor The term "Parthian shot" is also used as a metaphor to describe a barbed insult, delivered as the speaker departs.

== Gallery ==

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See also

• Feint
• Pyrrhic victory
• Caracole, a similar cavalry maneuver
• Cantabrian circle
• L'esprit de l'escalier, also called staircase wit

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Further reading

• Nikolaus Overtoom (2025). 9780197680223, Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197680223

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