cavalerie

Cavalerie is the military branch composed of mounted troops that historically fought on horseback. The term comes from the French cavalerie, derived from cavale or cheval, with cognates in many languages. Traditionally, cavalry provided speed, mobility, and shock power, as well as reconnaissance and communications.

Early cavalry appears in ancient civilizations, with heavy horsemen such as cataphracts and Roman equites shaping elite warfare. In the medieval period, armored knights represented the principal heavy cavalry, while lighter horsemen performed scouting and rapid flanking. Over time, distinct types developed—cuirassiers as heavy shock troops, dragoons as mobile mounted infantry, lancers with spear-like arms, and hussars as highly mobile light cavalry.

Advances in firearms and tactics in the early modern and industrial eras reduced the effectiveness of traditional charges. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many cavalry units were reorganized as armored or mechanized forces. In modern armies, cavalry often takes the form of armored or air cavalry units, using tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters for reconnaissance and rapid assault, while some forces maintain ceremonial horse regiments.

In contemporary usage, the term cavalerie or its equivalents in various languages describe both historic horse-mounted troops and modern mounted or armored forces. The concept reflects the historical evolution from horse-based shock troops to mechanized warfare, while preserving ceremonial and heritage roles in many nations.