03-08-2009, 02:48 PM
Hi,
If you agree that the contus is supposed to be held with both hands, and that the Roman catafractarii use such a weapon, how do you explain CIL XIII 6238's relief : http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,94/
Valerius Mexentius from the numerus catafractariorum is indeed depicted wielding his lance with one hand, and holding a shield in the left one. In my opinion, three hypothesis may be provided :
-Valerius Maxentius' weapon is not a contus, but a traditional cavalry spear. i.e. catafractarii are not necessary associated with the contus.
-Valerius Maxentius' shield is strapped to his arm or to his shoulder (like on Taq-i Bustan relief), which allows him to carry his contus with both hands (this seems to have been the case with the latter scutarii clibanarii).
-Valerius Maxentius's weapon is indeed a pike, and he may have used the skill that is called "couched lance" in medieval context. For another occurence in Antiquity, see the relief found at Khalchayan, Uzbekistan, 1st c. A.D. (in Mielczarek : fig. 14, p. 131).
I think that the first hypothesis is the most plausible, cause the shield seems to be a bit too big to be strapped : it would have be rather cumbersome than helpful for the rider. We may add that Flavius Zurdigenuus' gravestone (CIL XIII 1848 - numerus equitum catafractariorum seniorum) doesn't show a contus, but a 2m spear. Eventually, we have no pictural evidence that Roman catafractarii employed contus rather than mere hasta.
I don't think so. The ala noua firma catafractaria was raised in the east, probably during Alexander Severus' campaign, from parthian deditici or mercenaries (compare Herodian VI, 7, 8 ; VII, 2, 1 and VIII 1) ; its members seem to have been of Mesopotamian or Osrhoenian origin (see CIL XIII, 7323 and the semitic names on the other gravestones).
To John Conyard : I would like to know what speed you are able to reach when charging with your contus. What is the weight of your equipment ? Do you think that a caparisoned Roman cob could withstand several charges ? Do a contus is usable more than one time ?
Regards
If you agree that the contus is supposed to be held with both hands, and that the Roman catafractarii use such a weapon, how do you explain CIL XIII 6238's relief : http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,94/
Valerius Mexentius from the numerus catafractariorum is indeed depicted wielding his lance with one hand, and holding a shield in the left one. In my opinion, three hypothesis may be provided :
-Valerius Maxentius' weapon is not a contus, but a traditional cavalry spear. i.e. catafractarii are not necessary associated with the contus.
-Valerius Maxentius' shield is strapped to his arm or to his shoulder (like on Taq-i Bustan relief), which allows him to carry his contus with both hands (this seems to have been the case with the latter scutarii clibanarii).
-Valerius Maxentius's weapon is indeed a pike, and he may have used the skill that is called "couched lance" in medieval context. For another occurence in Antiquity, see the relief found at Khalchayan, Uzbekistan, 1st c. A.D. (in Mielczarek : fig. 14, p. 131).
I think that the first hypothesis is the most plausible, cause the shield seems to be a bit too big to be strapped : it would have be rather cumbersome than helpful for the rider. We may add that Flavius Zurdigenuus' gravestone (CIL XIII 1848 - numerus equitum catafractariorum seniorum) doesn't show a contus, but a 2m spear. Eventually, we have no pictural evidence that Roman catafractarii employed contus rather than mere hasta.
Quote:Units of foreign origin might be given the name commonly used within their region of origin ie 'clibanarius' - from the Persian "griv-pan" (meaning gorget - neck protection - so in English "gorgeteers" might be a better translation than "cuirassiers") - and new or converted native units may have been called 'cataphracts'.
I don't think so. The ala noua firma catafractaria was raised in the east, probably during Alexander Severus' campaign, from parthian deditici or mercenaries (compare Herodian VI, 7, 8 ; VII, 2, 1 and VIII 1) ; its members seem to have been of Mesopotamian or Osrhoenian origin (see CIL XIII, 7323 and the semitic names on the other gravestones).
To John Conyard : I would like to know what speed you are able to reach when charging with your contus. What is the weight of your equipment ? Do you think that a caparisoned Roman cob could withstand several charges ? Do a contus is usable more than one time ?
Regards
Maxime
