04-11-2006, 02:30 PM
It seems to me that the Pugio was simply an 'emergency back up weapon', for use when and if needed and likely to be carried by any soldier who could afford to.
Interestingly, Samurai not only made use of Wakizashi as back-up weapons, but also Tanto (essentially a Dagger). The exact combination depends on the period and individual concerned. Interestingly, I have heard that Ju-Jitsu was initially developed for use on the battlefield when one found oneself entirely disarmed (the first order of business being to acquire a weapon). This suggests that losing ones primary (Spear or Bow), secondary (Sword) and tertiary (Short Sword, Dagger or both) weapons was a matter of some concern for a professional warrior.
I'm doubtful of the practicality (or liklihood) of sheathing a Sword to draw a Dagger in the midst of combat, but I accept it could have been done.
The degree of action the Pugio saw must remain entirely speculative, but it seems to me that it was thought necessary to have one, if only for the psychological confidence benefits.
Matthew James Stanham
Interestingly, Samurai not only made use of Wakizashi as back-up weapons, but also Tanto (essentially a Dagger). The exact combination depends on the period and individual concerned. Interestingly, I have heard that Ju-Jitsu was initially developed for use on the battlefield when one found oneself entirely disarmed (the first order of business being to acquire a weapon). This suggests that losing ones primary (Spear or Bow), secondary (Sword) and tertiary (Short Sword, Dagger or both) weapons was a matter of some concern for a professional warrior.
I'm doubtful of the practicality (or liklihood) of sheathing a Sword to draw a Dagger in the midst of combat, but I accept it could have been done.
The degree of action the Pugio saw must remain entirely speculative, but it seems to me that it was thought necessary to have one, if only for the psychological confidence benefits.
Matthew James Stanham
It is a joyful thing indeed to hold intimate converse with a man after one\'s own heart, chatting without reserve about things of interest or the fleeting topics of the world; but such, alas, are few and far between.
Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350), Tsurezure-Gusa (1340)
