10-27-2008, 04:28 PM
Orliva - laudes to you.
We know that the menavlatoi were close-combat infantry and that one of their main functions was dealing with enemy heavy cavalry. Normal spears, kontaria, were more than adequate to fend off cavalry. However, when there was a cavalry breakthrough a different type of weapon was called for.
From historical precident we know a number of weapons which were used for this purpose. Aurelian's auxiliaries used metal headed clubs (maces by any other name) to deal with Palmyran cataphracts. In the late Middle Ages/Renasissance the Swiss and Landsknechts used pikes to fend off cavalry but they used troops armed with bills, halberds and two-handed swords to kill heavily armoured men-at-arms when they came to close quarters after the momentum of their charge had been halted.
All these weapons have a heavy head and a cutting or crushing ability. As you say an axe-head on a pole would surely have attracted some direct description therefore a heavy, broad spearhead with an ability to cut as well as thrust seems to me to be the most likely form for the menavlion to take.
We know that the menavlatoi were close-combat infantry and that one of their main functions was dealing with enemy heavy cavalry. Normal spears, kontaria, were more than adequate to fend off cavalry. However, when there was a cavalry breakthrough a different type of weapon was called for.
From historical precident we know a number of weapons which were used for this purpose. Aurelian's auxiliaries used metal headed clubs (maces by any other name) to deal with Palmyran cataphracts. In the late Middle Ages/Renasissance the Swiss and Landsknechts used pikes to fend off cavalry but they used troops armed with bills, halberds and two-handed swords to kill heavily armoured men-at-arms when they came to close quarters after the momentum of their charge had been halted.
All these weapons have a heavy head and a cutting or crushing ability. As you say an axe-head on a pole would surely have attracted some direct description therefore a heavy, broad spearhead with an ability to cut as well as thrust seems to me to be the most likely form for the menavlion to take.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!