Foot and Horse Archers: Arrow Capacity in Battle Across Different Regions and Eras

Foot archers and horse archers typically carried between 25 and 50 arrows on their person during battle, with some exceptions reaching beyond 100 arrows depending on the era, region, and arming style. The differences in arrow load reflect logistical constraints, tactics, and cultural variations across time and place.

Arrows are usually stored in quivers, which commonly hold about 25 to 30 arrows. Most individual archers carry at least one quiver, but often more. The total number of arrows an archer carries varies, factoring in quiver size, arrow length, and other carrying methods such as additional belts or boots.

For foot archers, one good reference is the Byzantine light-armed infantrymen, known as psiloi. The Byzantine Emperor Maurice’s Strategikon specifies these infantrymen carry large quivers with around 30 to 40 arrows. This shows a practical standard in the Eastern Roman military, where archers needed adequate ammunition but mobility was essential.

Medieval English archers carried arrows differently. They used sheaves, each holding 24 arrows. In battle, these archers would carry two or three sheaves at once. When defending, they often planted their sheaves in the ground for quicker access. This setup implies a carrying capacity of roughly 48 to 72 arrows for an English archer—a moderate load supporting prolonged volleys in defensive situations.

Arab archers around 1500 AD provide another example. Their quivers held 25 to 30 arrows, yet a contemporary Arabic archery manual recommends carrying additional arrows elsewhere—such as belts or boots—implying readiness to shoot well beyond the number in the quiver. This reflects tactical flexibility and adaptation to battlefield conditions requiring rapid replenishment.

Ancient Greek archers present an outlier. The gorytos, a combined bow case and quiver used by Scythians and adopted by Greeks, would theoretically allow an archer to carry up to 200 arrows. However, this is unlikely to represent typical combat load, as mobility and encumbrance limit such capacity. Carrying 200 arrows would be exceptional and possibly symbolic of elite status or parade gear rather than practical battlefield equipment.

East Asian archery shows distinct traits. Korean archers in the Chosun era generally carried about 20 arrows. Additionally, they used “baby” arrows—smaller, shorter arrows shot from a special tool called tong-ah. These 10 baby arrows served both offensive and defensive functions, including preventing enemies from reusing captured arrows. Thus, Korean archers had a carefully balanced load reflecting their unique tactical doctrines.

Horse archers, especially those from the Eurasian steppes like the Parthians, maintained similar arrow loads. Parthian horse archers typically carried around 30 arrows in their quivers. The mobility of mounted archers limited the quantity they could transport on themselves. Their effective tactic involved retreating to their camel trains to resupply. For example, at the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC), Parthian horse archers sustained heavy volleys by frequently resupplying arrows from their rear lines, enabling prolonged ranged harassment.

Arrow resupply was crucial in many battles. Armies often brought vast arrow stocks, sometimes hundreds of thousands. For instance, estimates suggest up to 500,000 arrows at Agincourt (1415) and possibly 2 million at Carrhae. Archers replenished arrows by:

• Withdrawing and retrieving from supply trains or rear lines
• Advancing during lulls to collect spent arrows on the battlefield
• Shooting back captured or enemy arrows

The Battle of Towton (1461) provides a remarkable example of enemy arrow reuse. Yorkist archers fired long-range lighter arrows into the Lancastrians, forcing the latter to shoot heavy short-range arrows that fell short. The Yorkists then retrieved Lancastrian arrows and used them effectively. This tactic showcases adaptability and resourcefulness shaping the effective arrow load beyond what archers initially carried.

Overall, arrow carrying capacity depends on regional equipment, tactics, and resupply methods. Most archers carry around 25-30 arrows per quiver and might hold additional arrows on their bodies. While extreme cases like Greek archers carrying up to 200 arrows exist in reports, these are rare and not standard. Foot archers generally carry more arrows due to less mobility constraints. Horse archers keep loads lower but rely on supply trains and quick resupply to maintain firing rates.

Key takeaways:

• Most archers carried 25 to 30 arrows in a single quiver.
• Total carried often reached 50 arrows or more via multiple quivers or additional storage.
• Foot archers tend to carry more arrows than horse archers due to mobility differences.
• Regional and temporal variations impacted arrow load and methods of carrying.
• Resupply played a central role in sustaining archery in battle.
• Elite exceptions sometimes carried very large quantities, but these were uncommon.

How Many Arrows Did Foot Archers and Horse Archers Carry in Battle? A Deep Dive Across Time and Place

So, how many arrows did foot archers and horse archers actually carry on their person during battle, and how much did the number vary depending on where and when they fought? The quick answer: Typically, an archer would carry around 25 to 30 arrows in a single quiver, and up to 50 or even 100 if they lugged extra quivers or tucked arrows cleverly into belts and boots. But the range varies widely with culture, era, and warfare style. Now, let’s unpack this quiver of facts.

Imagine yourself as a foot soldier or horse warrior with just your bow and arrows, heading into the chaos of battle. How many arrows could you carry without weighing yourself down?

Typical Arrow Capacity: The Starting Point

Across many cultures and centuries, a single quiver generally fits between 25 and 30 arrows. That’s kind of the archetype for the archer’s ammo pouch. But arrows come in different sizes, and the fashion for additional quivers changes the math.

Some archers carried one quiver, while others, more prepared or heavily armed, carried two or even three. According to certain historical sources, carrying up to 50 arrows was common; and in rare cases, some might carry up to 100. But don’t expect a soldier to jingle-jangle with 200 arrows strapped around—they’re just too bulky.

Foot Archers: Variety by Region and Time

Byzantine psiloi: Emperor Maurice’s military manual, the Strategikon (6th century AD), directs light infantry archers to carry bows with large quivers holding 30 to 40 arrows. That’s a healthy load for foot soldiers meant to harass the enemy from afar.

Arab Archers (circa 1500 AD) had a practical approach. Their treatise Book on the Excellence of the Bow and Arrow suggests a quiver with 25-30 arrows but adds a twist. It advises archers to stuff extra arrows in belts and boots—showing the need for more ammo despite limitations, especially during intense combat.

Medieval English Archers, famed for their longbows, typically transported “sheaves” of 24 arrows. In battle, they often carried two or three sheaves, totaling around 50 to 72 arrows. Defensive positions allowed them to smartly plant sheaves in the ground for swift reloads.

Ancient Greek Archers come across as arrow-crazy if you read some claims suggesting up to 200 arrows carried by a single archer. However, the Greek gorytos —a combined bow and arrow case borrowed from Scythians—likely held fewer arrows, so 200 is probably an outlier or an exaggeration.

Korean Archers during the Chosun era packed 20 standard arrows plus 10 “baby arrows” shot from the tong-ah device. These smaller arrows served both offensive and strategic purposes, including preventing enemies from reusing captured arrows.

Horse Archers: Mobility and Arrow Limits

Horse archers historically carried fewer arrows due to their need for mobility. For instance, Parthian horse archers carried roughly 30 arrows. This number appears consistent across various steppe nomads famed for mounted archery (e.g., Huns, Mongols).

Why fewer arrows? Because mobility is king for mounted warriors. Too heavy a quiver hampers speed, maneuvering, and stamina, turning a swift horse archer into a clumsy target.

How Did Arrow Carrying Numbers Differ Across Place and Time?

Variations result from tactical doctrine, equipment, and material culture. For example:

• Foot archers could hoard arrows in multiple quivers or even stash them physically around their bodies to maintain a higher supply.
• Horse archers balanced mobility with firepower, capping their quiver size at around 30 arrows.
• Specialized arrows like Korea’s ‘baby arrows’ altered carrying needs and tactical options.
• Some cultures or elite archers pushed limits, but bulk and weight kept huge loads rare.

So, place and time mattered a lot. A Byzantine archer carried more arrows in a large quiver compared to Korean archers, whose tactical use of small arrows influenced their ammo count. Meanwhile, Medieval English archers optimized for long-range volleys with multiple sheaves.

How Did Archers Keep Firing Once They Used Their Arrows?

Battlefields had solutions for keeping archers supplied:

• Supply trains: Archers could withdraw briefly to fetch fresh arrows or rely on runners carrying ammo forward.
• Advancing during lulls: If the battle paused, archers might dash to collect spent arrows from the ground.
• Reusing enemy arrows: A practical but risky tactic with historical proof, like during the Battle of Towton (Wars of the Roses), when Yorkists collected Lancastrian arrows to use against them.

Notably, the Parthian horse archers at Carrhae repeatedly resupplied from camel trains, enabling sustained arrow volleys that overwhelmed Roman legions.

Also, the Korea example adds intrigue with “baby arrows.” Shorter arrows prevented enemies from shooting them back, an inventive way of forcing foes to rely on their own dwindling ammo. Clever, isn’t it?

Summary Table: Arrow Carrying by Group

Practical Takeaway: What Does this Mean for Archery Buffs and Historians?

Knowing how many arrows archers carried helps understand ancient and medieval tactical limits. Did foot archers stand and pepper enemies for hours? Usually, no. They needed to reload supplies often or strategically place multiple quivers nearby.

Horse archers relied on hit-and-run tactics, so fewer arrows but higher speed made sense. Their ability to resupply on the move was key to their deadly efficiency, as seen in Parthian and Mongol warfare.

So, the next time you watch a movie and see an archer magically firing endless arrows, remember: real archers had to hustle to keep their quivers stocked, often carrying fewer arrows than Hollywood lets on. And their method of resupply was as vital as their skill with the bow.

Final Question for Readers

If you were an archer in a famous battle, would you prefer a lighter quiver with fewer arrows for agility or stockpile a heavier load and risk slower movement? What would your strategy be, considering your enemy, terrain, and allies?

Understanding history through the lens of archers’ arrow loads opens a window into the broader realities of ancient and medieval warfare. It shows how simple tools like a quiver balanced between endurance, firepower, and mobility shaped battles.

Sources:

• Loades, Mike. The Longbow.
• Loades, Mike. The Composite Bow.
• Featherstone, Donald. The Bowmen of England.
• Karasulas, Anthony. Mounted Archers of the Steppe 600BC-AD1300.
• Farrokh, Kevah. Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persians At War.
• Davis, Todd. Archery in Archaic Greece.