Cavalry in history

There were plenty of battles in ancient times before cavalry existed and in modern times since it's ceased to exist. The early Romans were never that big on it, neither were the greek city states, it never really effected their efficiency.

Also many parts of the world Americas/Africa had no cavalry.

As for cavalry vs infantry. One of the great military what if's for me is a Napoleon leading a French army in Zululand with infantry, guns and cavalry vs Shaka Zulu with only infantry. I think Nappy would get stuffed.

LMAO zulus armed with spears vs Napolean.are u serious.

I think the Zulus would win, notice I said French invading Zululand, hundreds of square miles of barren plain with no buildings, fortifications or cover. Nowhere for the French to take cover or hold up in.

If the Zulus fought the French in the European theatre they would most certainly lose.

Shaka could field only 40,000 men but do you really think Nappy would send 500,000 men and the old guard to Southern Africa. Something closer to the Egyption expedition is more realistic.

The Zulus were a highly trained disiplined forces with excellent command structures, regimental and brigade systems, well drilled soldier in regular bodies and superb scouting. Their organisation was comperable to the Romans.

Artillery would prove practically useless against zulu as it did for the British, Zulu prefering not to fight pitched battles but highly mobile warfare. Also maneuvering artillery over 100s of miles slow the French down.

It is a common maxim among military historians that the only reason the British won the Zulu War was because they had the Martini-Henry rifle and if they hadn't would have lost. Hence the theory a European muzzle loading musket army would have been defeated.

Finally European, American and Asian armies throughout history have been defeated time and time again by forces worse than Zulus after for marching day/weeks/months in barren wilderness's after armies that have a retreat into the terrain to use against them.

 I have yet to find a case where an army armed with stabbing spears or medieval weaponry, have overwhelmed and defeated a french post renaissance army of more than 1500 men. You better go read about french war  against the samori in a very hostile environment similar to zulu lan. The samori also have modern rifle, yet they couldn't match a sizeable french forces deep into their territory and was finally conquered.

Doesnt matter. The Brits came to history as the only modern army defeated by the wild men armed with the weapons of the stone age.

In 20th century the Italians were close to join the Brits in their club of modern armies defeated by wild people but finally they used airforces and gas against them what resulted in great italian victory.

 Sorry i don't believe you, 5000 french marine defeated by 2000 irregulars. Got any link. this is hardly believable. All Ive read about the war with mexicans is the pastry war, and most of the time the marines had the upper hand in many battle.

Soon you will tell us that Zulus had air cavalry.

If you could tell me more about the race wich spent "it's whole history kissing foreign conqueror's bottom" i would be glad to learn about it.

Nope, this list is much longer:

http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=634& PN=5

...and please don't turn this topic in another flamewar