07-11-2013, 02:10 PM
Nathan,
Again, many thanks - having reviewed that thread again earlier I didn't concentrate on the fact that you started it! Personally I would think 25-30m to be rather a long way, but it's certainly ball-park and I thank Jori for that comment which seems perfectly sensible.
Interesting point about the spiculum, is there any reason to suspect that it's not simply the pilum by another name (cf Vegetius)?
Adam, David
'
Yes indeed. I don't believe we're told anywhere exactly how many of the finger-thick '3ft + blade' light javelins' (lancea?) the velites (cf Polybius) were supposed to carry, but it must have been at least 3 - so at least 2 in the same hand holding the shield (3ft round one this time). Josephus mentions a 'quiver' for the cavalry holding 3 or more, but the description would seem to imply they are larger (let alone Arrian's cavalry exercises that seem to imply many more (15-20+). No such thing mentioned for infantry anywhere, but slung across the back? Pila are even more unwieldy to carry.
Brian,
Having been considering centuries and maniples recently, your point is exactly what I have been wondering. With such a staggered formation (the individual soldier-level quincunx) I believe that's perfectly viable, although 2 yards is quite a long way, but you mention only 2 rows/ranks - what about the other 4? Do they save their pila for another time, or are you suggesting they have sufficient room to throw overhead?
Again, many thanks - having reviewed that thread again earlier I didn't concentrate on the fact that you started it! Personally I would think 25-30m to be rather a long way, but it's certainly ball-park and I thank Jori for that comment which seems perfectly sensible.
Interesting point about the spiculum, is there any reason to suspect that it's not simply the pilum by another name (cf Vegetius)?
Adam, David
'
Yes indeed. I don't believe we're told anywhere exactly how many of the finger-thick '3ft + blade' light javelins' (lancea?) the velites (cf Polybius) were supposed to carry, but it must have been at least 3 - so at least 2 in the same hand holding the shield (3ft round one this time). Josephus mentions a 'quiver' for the cavalry holding 3 or more, but the description would seem to imply they are larger (let alone Arrian's cavalry exercises that seem to imply many more (15-20+). No such thing mentioned for infantry anywhere, but slung across the back? Pila are even more unwieldy to carry.
Brian,
Having been considering centuries and maniples recently, your point is exactly what I have been wondering. With such a staggered formation (the individual soldier-level quincunx) I believe that's perfectly viable, although 2 yards is quite a long way, but you mention only 2 rows/ranks - what about the other 4? Do they save their pila for another time, or are you suggesting they have sufficient room to throw overhead?
