Later Roman spear length

[Robert Vermaat]

Thanks for the pics - very useful.

My pleasure.

On the spear grip one of my issues with it is if it is so good why didn't hoplites and earlier spearmen use it? Ages ago I gave it ago and I found that compared with the overarm thrust it was much weaker in terms of the blow that can be delivered.

Can't tell you for sure, it's a theory and no-one actually describes an overarm or underarm grip. But my guess would be that hoplites fought hoplites, and the first time we hear of the complaints about too short spears it's against heavy cavalry. But Macedonian phalangists did not use their sarissas overarm, right?

Mind you I'm not convinced about the abandonment of throwing the spear and getting stuck in with the sword either so ... :lol:

Me neither, it's not that effective whilst engaging enemy cavalry... :wink:

You child scarer!:lol:
They loved it, no?

They sure did!!