Gondorian Soldiers Vs. Rohirrim Soldiers

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Kath

People keep saying that the Rohirrim have not had any practice and while this is true in terms of recent history if you look at their past they are a warlike race. Go back to Eorl the Young and all the old heroes of their race and then look at all the history they keep up with. Like the Golden Hall with all its tapestries and statues. Though the Rohirrim are a younger race than the Gondorians and have not had such drastic problems with the orcs it is unfair to say that they aren't as good. They are just in a different form. The Gondorians are good at hand to hand combat with other people (or orcs) at the smae level.
The Rohirrim are cavalry, their main force is in their charge which is very effective (as seen in the film) and they can fight on foot though they would prefer horses.

While it is true that the Rohirrim are a formidable force, they have more of a Carolingian style of mounted combat rather than a medieval one; spears held over-hand or thrown, rather than couched (clamped under the arm). It can be reasonably assumed that the Dol Amroth knights, who seem to be heavy cavalry, would charge in a more solid wall, with couched lances.

At any rate, I think it all comes down to leadership on the larger scale. A Gondorian soldier would have the advantage over a Rohirrim on foot, in terms of superior height, armor and their (presumably rigorous) continous state of training for warfare. In terms of armies, leadership and tactics will determine the outcome. I've no doubt the Rohirrim could easily overwhelm any force the orcs could throw at them, or a poorly organized Gondorian force, but conversely, a well-led Gondorian force could effectively counter a Rohirrim cavalry charge very effectively with phalanxes of spearmen and massed archers.

[Finwe-89]

They are both very strong. But Gondorians are better I think. They have longer swords and long-bows, better armor, training and battle attack positions. I'm not saying that Rohan is weak, but they don't have the eguipment to form a great army. They are only strong when they are on horses, on foot they are nothing but running farmers with swords and axes.

[Boromir88]

Since their fighting strategies are totally different, it is hard to tell, which means it comes down to leadership. This depends upon the time we are talking about. Let's say if instead of Gondor was fighting Mordor, they were fighting Rohan. At this time I'd give advantage Rohan, because of the leaders.

Theoden
Eomer
Elfhelm
Hama
Erkenbrand
Grimbold
Gamling

Gondor:

Denethor
Faramir
Imrahil
Forlong
Duinhir, Duirin, Derufin
Dervorin

Match em up, I'd give advantage Rohan. But, if we are talking about the 4th age here, advantage swings to Gondor.

Rohan:

Eomer
Erkenbrand
Gamling
Elfhelm

Gondor:

Aragorn
Imrahil
Faramir
Duinhir

[Finwe-89]

Didn't you forgot Boromir? He was a Captain in the 3th Age

[Boromir88]

I also left out the dead Theodred. So, I should give a more specific time. I was thinking about the time after Theoden was "renewed." If you want to go before then add Boromir to Gondor and Theodred to Rohan. It starts to balance out a bit more.