Etruscan Light Cavalry

Summary
Light Cavalry are the earlier type of cavalry available to the Etruscan faction group, being a dependable brigade of fast and offensive medium cavalry.

"A critical part of any army, cavalry are more expensive to maintain but can travel quickly and provide essential support to a slower moving battleline. Light cavalry are most effective as scouts, raiders or in direct combat against light infantry."

- In-game Description

History
Little is known of Etruscan cavalry. Chariots have been found in Etruscan tombs, but it is unknown if they were actually used in a combat role or were purely ceremonial, since Italy's hilly terrain is unsuited for chariot warfare. A brief description by the historian Dionysios of the Battle of Cumae in 524 BC states that the Etruscan cavalry and infantry were intermingled, suggesting that the cavalry was proficient in melee combat and relatively well-armoured.

Tactics
Etruscan Light Cavalry are heavier than their name suggests, with comparable (but more offensively-oriented) stats to Sabellic Noble Cavalry and Latin Equites while being cheaper and having a slightly larger brigade size, though Equites have the benefit of a much higher charge strength. Despite the similarity in name, Gallic Light Cavalry have significantly different stats, being much weaker individually but much more numerous.

As such, Etruscan Light Cavalry are arguably the most cost-effective cavalry in the early-game, though the high charge strength of the Equites is very useful as well. The more expensive Etruscan Heavy Cavalry and Gallic Noble Cavalry will outclass them in the late-game, though they can't move quite as quickly as the Etruscan Light Cavalry.