I'm not sure we can conclude that, Piotr. Most of the depictions of the optio show a round ball on the end of his hastile. What they don't show is what material from which the ball was made. My vote would be for carved wood, perhaps painted, but that's just opinion without evidence.
I 'opted' for the brass ball! (You may just see it, small guy on the right is holding it!)
[attachment=6917]28460_403213392131_4368302_n.jpg[/attachment]
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel