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Bow cases for strung bows - daryush - 11-15-2011
(I'm not sure this is in the right forum - feel free to move it, mods!)
I've seen a couple of late Roman cavalry re-enactors using a bow-case for a strung bow. I was wondering, what is the evidence for their use?
All the iconography I've examined (at least in an Iranian and Turkic context) shows a curved bow bag containing two bows. Presumably, the cavalry knew how to string their bows on horseback if needed (this is possible, although I can only do it with very light bows at the moment)
Does anybody have any more information about this?
Thanks
Re: Bow cases for strung bows - John Conyard - 11-16-2011
http://www.comitatus.net/cavalrypart5.html
http://www.facebook.com/ComitatusRomans?sk=wall
Re: Bow cases for strung bows - daryush - 11-16-2011
Dear John, thank you for your reply
The article is very good and I loved the photographs.
Could you possibly direct me towards the "barbarian iconography" please? I'm not wholly convinced by the Orlat gorytos being used so late - the Orlat plaques IMO are more related to the Yuezhi / Kushans rather than the Parthians or Sassanians - Although I know nothing about Europeans in this age, so it may have continued on there.
In Parthian iconography we see a combined quiver + curved bow bag (for the unstrung bow) on the right hand side (that is what I believe the Dura painting may show). Later on in Soghdian artwork we see separate hourglass quivers and curved bow bags.
There have been a handful of "Hunnic" type bows excavated. Most of these did not show a large reflex. I am thinking now that it may have been possible to string them on horseback because of this feature. A few centuries later (into the stirrup-era) the "Turkic" style bows appear, which have V-spliced ears rather than laminated and bent ears - these allow a greater reflex, harder to string, and the strung bow case may be associated with this feature.
(At least this is my understanding ...)
Re: Bow cases for strung bows - John Conyard - 11-18-2011
I apologise for my earlier rather terse reply. I fear i do not have much time at present.
I do not disagree with what you about stringing the bow from horse back. Although hasten to add I have never strung a bow from horseback in my life! And I do wonder if you could string a high poundage bow on horseback.
I appreciate the debate about dating the Orlat plaques.
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=25&id=285754
And indeed the same quiver shown on other iconography. Here is a modern interpretation of a Khotan tapestry. At least 3rd century.
[attachment=2114]khotan_tapestry_2011-11-17.jpg[/attachment]
And it is possible some archaeological evidence exists of the double tube quiver. Or at least I convinced myself there was last spring. It would take some effort to find my notes from then.
mile: But I appreciate the interpretation is open to question so two of our riders use them, and two of them do not.
Unstrung bow cases are a "safe" item of equipment for a late Roman to carry.
Re: Bow cases for strung bows - Robert - 11-29-2011
I can asure you that stringing a heavy recurve bow (with the bone "ears") on horseback would be a mayor accomplishment, because of it's nasty tendency to twist. I am very carefull at stringing my 50 # Grozer bow (not really very heavy!), and it requires good grip and bracing to get the string on without wrenching it.
Re: Bow cases for strung bows - Quinthalas - 01-14-2012
So is there any evidence that a strung bowcase would be used in the u.k or is it just guess work ? as making one is my next project !