Byzantine Weapons and Warfare

[egfroth]

Well, I think we've probably got almost as far as we can with the menavlion debate, apart from the following:

Returning for a moment to the measurement issue, the menavlion was 9-12 feet long, not six. Not saying that couldn't be thrown, but perhaps less suitable for the purpose.

However, looking again through the Praecepta's instructions to kataphraktoi in attacking the enemy's infantry formation, I discovered the following interesting quote:

On the assumption that the enemy infantry force is of heavy infantry [skoutaratoi], if they are standing in front of their cavalry units, our kataphraktoi must not be afraid but should instead proceed very calmly and aim the front of the triangular formation directly at the spot where the enemy leader is standing. Then the spears of the enemy infantrymen standing in front of their cavalry will be smashed by our kataphraktoi, while their arrows and the menavlia of their javeliners [rhiptariston]will be ineffective because of the armour of our kataphraktoi.

(Rhiptein is to throw, to cast).

Maybe Paullus is right, after all!

I'm certainly thinking very carefully about the above. It seems to appear only in the Praecepta, not in the Taktika. I suppose it's possible the word rhiptariston was a scribal or author's error, but that's a slippery slope, and against the very arguments I made earlier in this thread. We can only work with what we've got.

Add that to the fact that in both the Praecepta and the Taktika the menavlatoi are lumped in with the javeliners in having smaller shields than the heavy infantry - in the same sentence - and a trend seems to be developing. Certainly, a small shield wouldn't be of any particular advantage to a man with a thrusting shield - otherwise all the spearmen would have them. But for a man throwing a spear? Particularly a heavy one?

As the guy in the helmet on Laugh-In used to say - VE-R-R-RY interesting . . .