12-27-2007, 10:17 PM
Quote:Most people say this is a circus theme.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derianlebreton/699783090/
The guys are not soldiers, but "Theriomachoi" The spears are hunting spears akin to the medieval "pig-stick".
I agree. This picture was used purely to show a possible configuration of the head.
Quote: As I posted before I believe that the menavlio was a heavy javelin like the pilum.
The problem with that is that there is no mention in any of the sources of their being used as a missile . On the contrary, they are held to fend off cavalry. To quote the Praecepta: "If it should happen . . . that the three-deep spears of the infantrymen are smashed by the enemy kataphraktoi, then the menavlatoi, firmly set, stand their ground bravely to receive the charge of the kataphraktoi and turn them away."
Regarding the length of the head, the Praecepta has it as two or two and a half spithamai, while the Taktika has one and a half or two.
But this is the unit that is in doubt. Using Schilbach's value of the spithame as 9 inches, the head is 18-22 inches in the Praecepta and 15-18 inches in the Taktika. But if the proposed value of 6 inches is used, that becomes 12-15 inches or 9-12 inches. The top of the range is a little large, but not really huge, and it's comparable to - or smaller than - the 14 inches quoted for the heads of kontaria.
"It is safer and more advantageous to overcome the enemy by planning and generalship than by sheer force"
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia
The Strategikon of Emperor Maurice
Steven Lowe
Australia