The Essays of Montaigne

Montaigne explores the fascinating relationship between warriors and their horses throughout history, revealing deeper truths about mastery, dependence, and control. He describes Roman cavalry techniques, where soldiers could leap between galloping horses, and examines how different cultures—from Numidians to Parthians—integrated horsemanship into their identity and social hierarchy. The essay reveals a crucial paradox: while war horses amplified a warrior's power, they also created vulnerability. A trained horse might attack enemies but could turn on allies, or freeze at a critical moment, leaving the rider helpless. Montaigne contrasts this with infantry combat, where soldiers relied solely on their own skill and courage. He extends this analysis to weapons, noting how firearms require multiple components to work properly—powder, stone, wheel—any of which could fail. Ancient weapons like swords demanded personal skill but offered reliability. Through vivid historical examples, from Caesar's unusual horse with human-like hooves to indigenous Americans initially believing Spanish horses were divine creatures, Montaigne illustrates how our tools and dependencies shape our fate. The essay ultimately questions whether increased power through external means truly makes us stronger, or simply creates new forms of vulnerability. His observations about choosing weapons and allies we can fully control speak to timeless concerns about self-reliance versus technological dependence.