In their day the Thessalian cavalry was regarded as the best cavalry serving under Alexander the Great, though it was ranked below the Companion cavalry for political reasons. The Thessalians were another part of Alexander's heavy cavalry, and could perform the same roles as the Companions, which would include hoping to destroy the enemy by a devastating charge. However their most common usage was to hold the left wing of Alexander's army, absorbing any enemy blows before the Companions charged from the right wing to secure victory.

The four figures in this set look little different from the Companion cavalry set (see 8047 - Alexander's Macedonian Cavalry), and this is as it should be as in reality both units were dressed much the same. The distinctive feature of Thessalian dress was the cloak, which had two points hanging down at front and rear. Of course these points were difficult to make out on mounted men, and would only have been clear when flapping behind the charging rider. These figures exhibit no signs of such points, though as we have said this would be quite normal. Other than the cloak the men wear a cuirass and either boeotian or Thracian-style helmets, both of which are correct.

The poses are pretty standard for this type of cavalry, but serve their purpose admirably without being anything exceptional.

Two of the horse poses are identical to those found in the Macedonian Cavalry set, and the third is the same stance as the third horse in the other set, but is wearing a saddlecloth without a shabraque. However this is OK because it seems both units rode horses equipped in the same style, so all are suitable for either set. The heavy cavalry rode horses with the decorated saddlecloth as shown in this set which was sometimes covered by a pantherskin shabraque, again as depicted here.

In essence these figures could serve just as well as Companion cavalry, though they should be given much longer spears to do this correctly. The detail is very good and the poses reasonable. There was no flash at all, and the standard of sculpting is uniformly high. As with all HaT sets the engineering is precise - men fit horses well and the weapons fit into the ring hands snugly and securely. Though we would always like more poses this is another workmanlike set from this manufacturer that is without blemish.