07-12-2009, 07:01 PM
Hi Marka,
The Roman soldiers in Crassus' army had the same background as Romans fighting anywhere at that time. So as far as we know they had the same equipment. All the ancient terms for weapons were flexible, and quite a lot of different types of pilum heads have been found.
I'm not convinced that the Parthians kept out of range for thrown weapons: they might have relied on speed and a loose formation to avoid being hit as they galloped into close range, shot, and galloped away. Then again, perhaps they shot at longer range from standing horses, or even dismounted like some of Saladin's men at Arsuf, once the Roman cavalry and archers were beaten? And the Romans would run out of pila a lot sooner than the Parthians ran out of arrows ...
Sean
The Roman soldiers in Crassus' army had the same background as Romans fighting anywhere at that time. So as far as we know they had the same equipment. All the ancient terms for weapons were flexible, and quite a lot of different types of pilum heads have been found.
I'm not convinced that the Parthians kept out of range for thrown weapons: they might have relied on speed and a loose formation to avoid being hit as they galloped into close range, shot, and galloped away. Then again, perhaps they shot at longer range from standing horses, or even dismounted like some of Saladin's men at Arsuf, once the Roman cavalry and archers were beaten? And the Romans would run out of pila a lot sooner than the Parthians ran out of arrows ...
Sean
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
