Hunters
and warriors have used the bow for thousands of years. One of the most
effective, the most feared, and deadliest of all was the composite bow that was
developed by the horsemen of Central-Asia in the first millennium B.C.; the
Scythians, the Huns, the Avars and the Magyars, 
just
to mention a few, were masters in the making and handling of this weapon.
Compared to other bows, the composite bow was smaller and more powerful and
more practical in hunting or shooting from horseback. An arrow shot from it
could travel about half a mile's distance, was capable of piercing some light
body armor, and was lethal at about 300-400 yards. (Western bows had only about
half the range.) The warriors of the East were masters in handling these bows
and they shot their arrows with great accuracy from their galloping horses.
Even in a retreat (real or tactical), the stirrup enabled them to turn facing
backwards on their horses, allowing
for the very effective use of these
weapons. A skilled horseman in Hungary can
demonstrate very convincingly that this can even be done without the stirrup.
Exhibit 14: Blue: position of storage; brown: ready position; red:
shooting position
Composite
bows were made of wood, horn, sinew, and some fish-glue; due to the type of
glue used in their manufacture, this weapon could only be employed in dry
weather. It took a great deal of skill and a number of years to make just one.
In order to use these weapons effectively, one was trained from childhood to
develop the necessary skill and muscle.