He shoots either kneeling or standing, generally the latter.
His ordinary position is in the van of battle, though sometimes a portion of the heavy-armed troops precede him.

He has no shield, and is not protected by an attendant, thus running more risk than any of the rest of the army.
The more simply equipped of the heavy archers are clothed in a coat of mail, which reaches from their neck to their middle, and partially covers the arms.

Below this they wear a fringed tunic reaching to the knees, and confined at the waist by a broad belt of the ordinary character.

Their feet have in most instances the protection of a sandal, and they wear on their heads the common or pointed helmet.

They usually discharge their arrows kneeling on the left knee, with the right foot advanced before them.