or Cataphractarius, more particularly denotes a horseman, or even horse, armed with a cataphracta. The cataphracti equites were a sort of cuirassiers, not only fortified with armour themselves, but having their horses guarded with solid plates of brass or other metal, usually lined with skins, and wrought into plumes or other forms. Their use was to bear down all before them, to break in upon the enemy's ranks, and spread terror and havoc wherever they went, as being themselves invulnerable and secure from danger. But their disadvantage consisted in their unwieldiness; for, if once unhorsed, or on the ground, they were unable to rise, and thus fell a prey to the enemy.