04-13-2006, 10:03 PM
All evidence indicates that they used composite bows during the Empire. During the Republic, most if not all archers were mercenaries from the Eastern Med, where composite bows were also common. There was a native West European tradition of selfbows, so we can't exclude the possibility.
The penetrative power of the composite bow can be overrated. The latest edition of 'Antike Welt' has an experiment report of shooting a composite bow at a stationary armour sample at 5 metres carried out by LEG XXI Primigenia. The bow drew 61 lbs, probably less than Roman designs, but not by that much. They also used a 72 lb compound for second tests.
The segmentata-sample (iron 1 and 1.5mm, single and double layer) was never penetrated even by bodkin points. The hamata sample was damaged by trilobate and bodkin pointrs, but only a single steel bodkin point penetrated by 13cm. All others were stopped in the ring mesh and the padding beneath.
The penetrative power of the composite bow can be overrated. The latest edition of 'Antike Welt' has an experiment report of shooting a composite bow at a stationary armour sample at 5 metres carried out by LEG XXI Primigenia. The bow drew 61 lbs, probably less than Roman designs, but not by that much. They also used a 72 lb compound for second tests.
The segmentata-sample (iron 1 and 1.5mm, single and double layer) was never penetrated even by bodkin points. The hamata sample was damaged by trilobate and bodkin pointrs, but only a single steel bodkin point penetrated by 13cm. All others were stopped in the ring mesh and the padding beneath.
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Volker Bach
