RomanArmyTalk

Hello,

At Cohors Prima Gallica we are trying to recosntruct, step by step, the Late Roman civilian hunting scenes depicted at the Piazza Armerina (Sicily, Italy) Small Hunt mosaic.

We have come across a strange, spear-like, hunting weapon. The head is apparently socketed and forked and each end has a barb. It is used for hunting hares, possibly on horse aswell as on foot.

My question is: Have any of you seen any vaguely similar real object we could use as a source to replicate it? :?

Many thanks in advance!

Aitor

Maybe derived from the trident which was used for "hunting" fish?

Could this also, possibly be a precursor to the medieval 'fork', commonly thought to have derived from pitchforks?

Has nobody, thus, seen a similar object at a Museum or Archaeological Report? :?
(or even mistakenly identified as Gladiatorial equipment? )

Aitor

I wasn't able to find a picture, but I've seen a tool very similar to this. It was included in a set of iron utensils for a portable camp kitchen. It was designed for moving hot objects like stones, coals and baked potatoes.

Many thanks, Cedric!

Did it have one-barbed points too?

Aitor

From what I figure, it could be something like this:

Any volunteers to try making a replica? 8)

Aitor

Make a normal barbed spear point (like an angon, e.g.) with your choice of socket style, then heat and split the point down the middle. Spread the split ends and you have arrived. Show that picture above to a smith and see if he doesn't agree. :wink:

Aitor, I have to remeber you that I can speak of this with the Navarrese (?) smith who had written to my fencing club.

Seems to be simple to be done, starting from a plank of iron, but as I heard recently about a bill of 100€ for making one cut-and-thrust sword´s ward (only)... :roll:

PS: You are dangerous drawing! :wink:

David,
That is our issue, we lack a competent and wide-minded blacksmith

Iagoba,
I've e-mailed a better resoultion pic to all the Cohors members so you can discuss it on next Saturday's meeting. 100 euro is rather expensive hock: but our main problem now is to find somebody for doing the job properly and, if he's cheap or expensive, goes second :roll:

Aitor

Aitor there is many different ways you could make this 4 come to mind, if you are not in a hurry for it Ill make one for you
Regards Brennivs

Hi Tony!

Many thanks for your offer! If you make it, it will be an escellent one! 8)

The only remaining issue is waht we both understand for 'being in a hurry'

We need the implement for next Tarragona festival. That means we should have it by the beginning of May...

Regards,
:wink:
Aitor

The 100 euro was for the cut-and -thrust ward like this one:

It was to replace the original one, wich is too soft for real combat.

So, don´t worry, I don´t expect to be so expesive to do. I´ll ask them.

This is a little of topic as it is Viking/Norman, but I think I have seen a Roman version of this with maybe larger wings for Boar hunting,

Has anyone seen a pic of it :?:
Aitor what ever you decide if you want I will draw my ideas for the weapon and send to see what you think and May does not sound to bad since it is a little job
Regards Brennivs

Tony,
Yes, there are Roman counterparts for that spear. Besides depictions on mosaics, I know of actual surviving points. There is a Late Roman one from the Cabriana cemetery at the burgos Museum. It has brass wire inserte decoration on the socket. I think that I have a blurry pic somewhere. I'll try to find and scan it, but it can take me sooome time. Stay tuned... :roll:

OK about the forked spear, many thanks! roll:
If you want to continue discussion off-forum, please, send me a PM!

Regards,

Aitor

I know it's not the same, but what about the arrow point to hunt birds?



I think it's the same concept, but a diferent scale...