Longbows OWNED with ENGINEERING and TECHNOLOGY!
https://piefed.social/c/historymemes/p/1904067/longbows-owned-with-engineering-and-technology
Longbows OWNED with ENGINEERING and TECHNOLOGY!
https://piefed.social/c/historymemes/p/1904067/longbows-owned-with-engineering-and-technology
If the cost of producing and maintaining the force is also a factor though, surely the logistical demand of cavalry is an order of magnitude greater than that of either archers or crossbowmen?
And then, as the other fella said, pointy sticks.
Babylonians: not a problem