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Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - jkaler48 - 09-02-2011
Ok I couldn't resist starting a companion thread to Tactics: Employment of the Gladius
There are a number of ancient sources on the employment of Pila I think there are perhaps many more than on the Gladius. We will see what can be found by RAT members. Oh and please: primary sources by ancient writers are preferred over derivative sources.
C. Julius Caesar Gallic War book 1, chapter 52
"Accordingly our men, upon the signal being given, vigorously made an attack upon the enemy, and the enemy so suddenly and rapidly rushed forward, that there was no time for casting the javelins at them. Throwing aside [therefore] their javelins, they fought with swords hand to hand."
"caes.gal.7.82": [7.82] While the Gauls were at a distance from the fortification, they did more execution, owing to the immense number of their weapons: after they came nearer, they either unawares empaled themselves on the spurs, or were pierced by the mural darts from the ramparts and towers, and thus perished. After receiving many wounds on all sides, and having forced no part of the works, when day drew nigh, fearing lest they should be surrounded by a sally made from the higher camp on the exposed flank, they retreated to their countrymen. But those within, while they bring forward those things which had been prepared by Vercingetorix for a sally, fill up the nearest trenches; having delayed a long time in executing these movements, they learned the retreat of their countrymen before they drew nigh to the fortifications. Thus they returned to the town without accomplishing their object.
"caes.gal.7.88": [7.88] His arrival being known from the color of his robe, and the troops of cavalry, and the cohorts which he had ordered to follow him being seen, as these low and sloping grounds were plainly visible from the eminences, the enemy join battle. A shout being raised by both sides, it was succeeded by a general shout along the ramparts and whole line of fortifications. Our troops, laying aside their javelins, carry on the engagement with their swords. The cavalry is suddenly seen in the rear of the Gauls; the other cohorts advance rapidly; the enemy turn their backs; the cavalry intercept them in their flight, and a great slaughter ensues. Sedulius the general and chief of the Lemovices is slain;
"caes.civ.3.93": [3.93] But our men, when the signal was given, rushed forward with their javelins ready to be launched, but perceiving that Pompey's men did not run to meet their charge, having acquired experience by custom, and being practiced in former battles, they of their own accord repressed their speed, and halted almost midway; that they might not come up with the enemy when their strength was exhausted, and after a short respite they again renewed their course, and threw their javelins, and instantly drew their swords, as Caesar had ordered them. Nor did Pompey's men fail in this crisis, for they received our javelins, stood our charge, and maintained their ranks; and having launched their javelins, had recourse to their swords. At the same time Pompey's horse, according to their orders, rushed out at once from his left wing, and his whole host of archers poured after them. Our cavalry did not withstand their charge: but gave ground a little, upon which Pompey's horse pressed them more vigorously, and began to file off in troops, and flank our army. When Caesar perceived this, he gave the signal to his fourth line, which he had formed of the six cohorts. They instantly rushed forward and charged Pompey's horse with such fury, that not a man of them stood; but all wheeling about, not only quitted their post, but galloped forward to seek a refuge in the highest mountains. By their retreat the archers and slingers, being left destitute and defenseless, were all cut to pieces. The cohorts, pursuing their success, wheeled about upon Pompey's left wing, while his infantry still continued to make battle, and attacked them in the rear.
Flavius Arrianus Acies contra Alanos AD 135
They should deploy in eight ranks and their deployment should be close ordered. And the front four ranks of the formation must be of spearmen, whose spearpoints end in thin iron shanks. And the foremost of them should hold them at the ready, in order that when the enemies near them, they can thrust the iron points of the spears at the breast of the horses in particular. Those standing in second, third an fourth rank of the formation must hold their spears ready for thrusting if possible, wounding the horses and killing the horsemen and put the rider out of action with the spear stuck in their heavy body armour and the iron point bent because of the softness.
Julius Caesar. Civil War (English) [ Caes. Civ. book 3 chapter 39 ]
which he quitted voluntarily; when his forces were got half down the hill, encouraging them by Antony, who had the command of that legion, he gave the signal to face about, and fall on the enemy. Immediately the soldiers of the ninth legion, forming themselves into close order, launched their darts; and advancing briskly up the hill against the enemy, forced them to give ground, and at last betake themselves to flight; which was not a little incommoded by the hurdles, palisades, and ditch, Caesar had thrown up to stop to secure their retreat, having killed several of the enemy, and lost
Tacitus, Annales Tac. Ann. 14.37 14.36
Nor was Suetonius silent at such a crisis. Though he confided in the valour of his men, he yet mingled encouragements and entreaties to disdain the clamours and empty threats of the barbarians. "There," he said, "you see more women than warriors. Unwarlike, unarmed, they will give way the moment they have recognised that sword and that courage of their conquerors, which have so often routed them. Even among many legions, it is a few who really decide the battle, and it will enhance their glory that a small force should earn the renown of an entire army. Only close up the ranks, and having discharged your javelins, then with shields and swords continue the work of bloodshed and destruction, without a thought of plunder. When once the victory has been won, everything will be in your power." Such was the enthusiasm which followed the general's address, and so promptly did the veteran soldiery, with their long experience of battles, prepare for the hurling of the javelins, that it was with confidence in the result that Suetonius gave the signal of battle.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - garrelt - 09-02-2011
Just saw this topic, and saw the reference of using a Pilum or Angon as a defensive weapon against attacking opponents.
Thanks for that.
The big advantage of a Pilum or Angon used in a line as a defensive weapon, is that due to the long iron/steel part of the shank the tip/point can't be hacked off.
Also the small point is ideal for stabbing in the face or trough gaps in the armour like the armpit.
If you hit a normal spear just at the point were the metal socket of the point ends and the wooden shaft begins, there is a big chance that the shaft will break which results ending up with a stick instead of a spear.
A nail or rivet trough the socket that holds a spearhead on the shaft even weakens the shaft.
The same counts for nailing rawhide or other material on the shaft to prevent the head from being cut off.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - garrelt - 09-02-2011
You could almost say that a Pilum is, like a short spear, a dual purpose weapon.
You can use it as a Javelin or as a close combat weapon in a defensive or offensive way.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - Robert Vermaat - 09-02-2011
Quote: Oh and please: primary sources by ancient writers are preferred over derivative sources.You forgot to mention that this from Acies 16 and (part of) Acies 17.
Flavius Arrianus Acies contra Alanos AD 135
They should deploy in eight ranks and their deployment should be close ordered. And the front four ranks of the formation must be of spearmen, whose spearpoints end in thin iron shanks. And the foremost of them should hold them at the ready, in order that when the enemies near them, they can thrust the iron points of the spears at the breast of the horses in particular. Those standing in second, third an fourth rank of the formation must hold their spears ready for thrusting if possible, wounding the horses and killing the horsemen and put the rider out of action with the spear stuck in their heavy body armour and the iron point bent because of the softness.
This line is incorrect: “whose spearpoints end in thin iron shanks” .
The original damaged text (MS Laurentius gr.LV 4) actually reads: “oii (spatium 3-4 litt.) tois kontois makra kaì èpìleptò”. Several editors amended this text, until the early 20th-c. translation of Antoon Gerard Roos – used by most translations as well as the Loeb edition emendedthe text until it read like this: “ois dè <tois> kontois makra kaì èpì leptòn tà sidèria proèktai”. This was no problem for the editors of the 19th and early 20th century, but today this is of course no longer acceptable. The best we can do with the words available is concluding that the ‘kontoi’ in acies 16 had a long slender blade, all the rest is based on later speculative emendations.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - garrelt - 09-02-2011
Ok Robert
That is what is found in "original" texts and the "wrong" translation of it, but still there are Germanic Angos and Pila with a round socket known.
And used by Troops in Roman Service.
But then again there are also some very slender spearheads like one published in Armed Batavians.
Or even the ones known from Thorsberg and Illerup-Adal.
Which are slender and long enough to go trough the eyeslits of a helmet with a face mask, next to penetrating some types of armour.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - jkaler48 - 09-02-2011
Quote:You could almost say that a Pilum is, like a short spear, a dual purpose weapon.
You can use it as a Javelin or as a close combat weapon in a defensive or offensive way.
So far the only sources I have employ the Pilum as a hand held spear against armored cavalry only. Some of the rest have the Pilum being thrown down in favor of the Gladius!
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - garrelt - 09-02-2011
Strange that the only documentation is defensive use against cavalry.
Why strange because Pila are relatively short and thin.
To stop a horse a 3meter or longer Pike with a broad blade would be better for the job.
Almost a new topic here: were pikes known and used by Roman troops? :wink:
Just a thought.
Was the Pilum laid down by the First ranks engaged in close combat or by the reinforcing ranks.
If the "normal" tactic/procedure would be followed than these first rank Troops had already thrown their Pila into the OPFOR direction and drawn their Gladius waiting for the order to go into close combat.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - jkaler48 - 09-02-2011
Apparently there is a minimum effective range for the Pilum. Once the enemy has closed to within this distance the better course of action is to go directly to Gladius combat. Presumably this is a decision made case by case as low as the Century level as more rearward Centuries may still be able to employ their Pila at enemies not in direct close combat with their comrades in the front.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - jkaler48 - 09-02-2011
I have hypothesized a hand off of Pila to rearward ranks but have not found any ancient sources that support such a drill. Also resupply of Pila during battle lulls is a hypothesis but again supporting ancient sources have not been found.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - Gaius Julius Caesar - 09-02-2011
Same here, John.
All the sources seem to say they either discharge them, then engage with gladius, or as in Pharsalus, use them as sharp pointy stabbing implements!
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - jkaler48 - 09-02-2011
There is a carving showing a servant following a cavalry soldier carrying a resupply of javelins but it is uncertain it is a combat rather than a training scene.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - garrelt - 09-03-2011
There are enough Grave Steles that show more than 1 javelin.
But these do not look like a Pilum, more like short approximately 160cm long "normal" spears.
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=20&id=291934
Next training I will try out some close combat with a Pilum and of course with a short sword.
As a shield I will us a 60cm wide and 122cm tall flat oval shield.
Not to prove that this was normal "Roman" practice, but just to see if it can be done and what the difficulties and limitations are.
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - Robert Vermaat - 09-03-2011
Quote:Strange that the only documentation is defensive use against cavalry.Exactly, which is why I think that the 'kontos' described by Arrian is not a pilum at all, but a longer thrusting spear (hasta or whatewver you want to call it).
Why strange because Pila are relatively short and thin.
To stop a horse a 3meter or longer Pike with a broad blade would be better for the job.
Almost a new topic here: were pikes known and used by Roman troops? :wink:
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - kazeryu - 09-03-2011
I thought pila were constructed such that the tips would bend or separate from the shaft after a good hit or so? Using something like that as a spear seems like a poor idea.
Considering that a pilum and a spear are both basically just pointy sticks with metal ends, isn't it possible that someone got mixed up somewhere?
Re: Tactics: Employment of the Pilum - Gaius Julius Caesar - 09-03-2011
I think the ides that the pila were breakable by design is a falacy that has been debunked!
It is recorded in Ceasars Civil Wars about using their pila to stab at the faces of the Pompeian cavelry! He only made a couple of mistakes... :wink: