05-01-2013, 06:24 PM
Hi Adrian,
Vegetius again? He also said that the army dropped the use of armour, didn't he? Despite what vegetius says, today the common view seems to be that the pilum was phased out long before the end of the 4th century.
Actually, Vegetius writes how the spiculum was the successor of the Pilum (arguing that the pilum itself was no longer used) and had the same characteristics as the pilum. The spiculum, therefore, was a heaving throwing spear and no thrusting spear - as the pilum had not been that.
Ammianus' use of the generic word 'pili' tells us nothing, he also uses words like 'gladius' for sword and 'Parthians' for Persians. that's no problem, but it's no proof that the Rom,ans actually fought Parthians by. 367 with the gladius and the pilum.
Vegetius again? He also said that the army dropped the use of armour, didn't he? Despite what vegetius says, today the common view seems to be that the pilum was phased out long before the end of the 4th century.
Actually, Vegetius writes how the spiculum was the successor of the Pilum (arguing that the pilum itself was no longer used) and had the same characteristics as the pilum. The spiculum, therefore, was a heaving throwing spear and no thrusting spear - as the pilum had not been that.
Ammianus' use of the generic word 'pili' tells us nothing, he also uses words like 'gladius' for sword and 'Parthians' for Persians. that's no problem, but it's no proof that the Rom,ans actually fought Parthians by. 367 with the gladius and the pilum.
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)
