07-11-2013, 06:36 PM
How to carry multiple pila:
Per the instructions someone else offered to me when I asked this question a while back, to grip a pilum while holding the shield means pinching the shaft with the thumb of the hand holding the shield grip, while holding the pilum vertical.
Look at Bottom Illustration
The curved shape of the Roman scutum would limit you to a holding the spare pilum vertically instead of a more efficient method of grasping the javelin/throwing spear horizontally in a fist along with the shield grip. In the case of the velites, since they used a flat parma shield , they could grasp multiple finger thick shafts in their fist along with their shield grip. Imagine having to hold multiple shafts of wood in your hand, the skinnier the shafts, the more you can fit in your fist.
As for whether Romans carried one or two pilum, per Zhmodikov 's Roman Republic Infantrymen in Battle, many Roman battles contained extended periods of missile action vice close combat. Though a pila barrage followed by an infantry assault was the Roman bread and butter tactic, I don't it was always possible or done. Additionally, having two pila would allow a Roman soldier to defend himself against enemy skirmishers, horsemen and still have a pilum left over for the enemy infantry.
To throw a pilum effectively, you just need space behind you and in front of you, as well as side space for shield movement caused by the throw. The way I picture it is that the Roman or Latin soldier would be grasping both pila in his right hand during the approach march, maybe even resting them on his shoulder. Once the order to advance was given and the soldier closed with the enemy, he would pinch the heavy pilum with his left thumb and hold only the light pilum in his right. If stationary, he could just use the iron/bronze butt spike and simply stick the heavy pilum in the ground next to him to make it easier. Once in range, probably at a signal given by the centurion, the soldier would throw the light pilum at the enemy. Once that was thrown, the soldier reaches to his shield and grabs the heavy pilum while he continues advancing toward the enemy, never needing to stop. Once at close range, to maximize the damage of the volley, say from 5-10 meters away, the front rank of the Romans, maybe even the second rank by throwing through the gaps of the men in front of them, throw their heavy pila as hard as they can directly at the men opposing them. The rest of the men hold onto their own heavy pilum, in case they end up on the front rank or if they need to hand them off later on. As the enemy infantry react to the confusion of the last direct heavy pila volley, the Roman infantry charge at the run while drawing swords and attempt to kill the enemy front rankers by battering the enemy with shield blows, sword thrusts and cuts.
Additionally, the use of missile carrying infantry was not unique to the Italians. The Romans themselves would have probably also been facing missile fire themselves, since pretty much every enemy Romans faced had skirmishers of their own (archers, slingers, javelineers) or armed their own line infantry with throwing spears or javelins (Gauls and Germans).
Maximum range of a pilum throw according to this video is 41 meters. It looks like it could have done some damage
Pilum throw
Per the instructions someone else offered to me when I asked this question a while back, to grip a pilum while holding the shield means pinching the shaft with the thumb of the hand holding the shield grip, while holding the pilum vertical.
Look at Bottom Illustration
The curved shape of the Roman scutum would limit you to a holding the spare pilum vertically instead of a more efficient method of grasping the javelin/throwing spear horizontally in a fist along with the shield grip. In the case of the velites, since they used a flat parma shield , they could grasp multiple finger thick shafts in their fist along with their shield grip. Imagine having to hold multiple shafts of wood in your hand, the skinnier the shafts, the more you can fit in your fist.
As for whether Romans carried one or two pilum, per Zhmodikov 's Roman Republic Infantrymen in Battle, many Roman battles contained extended periods of missile action vice close combat. Though a pila barrage followed by an infantry assault was the Roman bread and butter tactic, I don't it was always possible or done. Additionally, having two pila would allow a Roman soldier to defend himself against enemy skirmishers, horsemen and still have a pilum left over for the enemy infantry.
To throw a pilum effectively, you just need space behind you and in front of you, as well as side space for shield movement caused by the throw. The way I picture it is that the Roman or Latin soldier would be grasping both pila in his right hand during the approach march, maybe even resting them on his shoulder. Once the order to advance was given and the soldier closed with the enemy, he would pinch the heavy pilum with his left thumb and hold only the light pilum in his right. If stationary, he could just use the iron/bronze butt spike and simply stick the heavy pilum in the ground next to him to make it easier. Once in range, probably at a signal given by the centurion, the soldier would throw the light pilum at the enemy. Once that was thrown, the soldier reaches to his shield and grabs the heavy pilum while he continues advancing toward the enemy, never needing to stop. Once at close range, to maximize the damage of the volley, say from 5-10 meters away, the front rank of the Romans, maybe even the second rank by throwing through the gaps of the men in front of them, throw their heavy pila as hard as they can directly at the men opposing them. The rest of the men hold onto their own heavy pilum, in case they end up on the front rank or if they need to hand them off later on. As the enemy infantry react to the confusion of the last direct heavy pila volley, the Roman infantry charge at the run while drawing swords and attempt to kill the enemy front rankers by battering the enemy with shield blows, sword thrusts and cuts.
Additionally, the use of missile carrying infantry was not unique to the Italians. The Romans themselves would have probably also been facing missile fire themselves, since pretty much every enemy Romans faced had skirmishers of their own (archers, slingers, javelineers) or armed their own line infantry with throwing spears or javelins (Gauls and Germans).
Maximum range of a pilum throw according to this video is 41 meters. It looks like it could have done some damage
Pilum throw
