01-22-2008, 11:01 AM
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the very detailed reaction. My listing, however, was in the first place not to look at each author for the correct use of the terminology, but to show how terminology changed over time.
To the list an apology about the massive quotes, but in this case I felt that, otherwise, it would become a bit difficult to follow. For that reason I’ve also cut up the original reply into sections dealing with each author.
Thank you for the very detailed reaction. My listing, however, was in the first place not to look at each author for the correct use of the terminology, but to show how terminology changed over time.
To the list an apology about the massive quotes, but in this case I felt that, otherwise, it would become a bit difficult to follow. For that reason I’ve also cut up the original reply into sections dealing with each author.
Quote:IF the writer chooses to inform us with that additional information (‘hasta praelonga’, ‘hasta velitaris’) there is no problem. However, most authors do not see the need to do that, which is where the confusion starts. A simple description like ‘hasta’ thus can mean anything.Quote:Livy called the ‘sarissa’ a ‘praelonga hasta’ (Ab Urbe Condita XXXII.17.13, XXXIII.8.12, XXXVI.18.7, XXXVII.42.4, XLIV.41.7). he clearly uses ‘hasta’ for a very long thrusting spear......and that is exactly right. If we take Hasta as the single handed 7-8ft thrusting spear, then the sarissa(Macedonian pike) is indeed " a very long thrusting spear" - no confusion or problem here !
Hasta at this time also has a generic meaning of 'spear/shafted weapon', similar to English - thus Polybius refers to hasta velitaris lit; 'spear or shafted weapon of the velites' to mean the 'mini pila/javelin' with which they were equipped (carrying seven in total)
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
