10-28-2006, 07:14 PM
Well, that's heating up! 
We started off by discussing the thickness (or rather thinness) of the pugio handle. If the primary function of the pugio is a stabbing weapon, the Length and thickness of the handle resembles stabbing weapons of today. For this, see my picture of a dagger following a time-honored design.
In the case of an advancing enemy, yes, I would toss anything at him, including my helmet, if this would buy me enough time to draw my primary weapon. This is however beside the point.
Mind you, there are some strange things about the later pugio's that may even give the suggestion of Titvs merit. I have wondered about the unbalance of the pugio before, as the blade is VERY wide and all the weight is up front (as in a trowing knife).
Another explanation, one which in my opinion is as likely, is the desire to increase the cutting edge of the dagger. A wide blade to the abdomen will carve a wide swatch, doing massive damage to the internal organs. There are documented cases of people walking a mile or more with a lethal stiletto wound, dead, but not knowing it yet. This would be a good case for a wider blade.
Perhaps the whole discussion is on ergonomics derived from a given use. I am in favor of regarding the pugio as a dagger, meant for close range stabbing in situations where there is no room to wield a sword or spear.
There may be merit in the suggestion that in case of emergency, the pugio could be thrown with force, this accounting for difficult to explain elements of its design. Some solid practical research may provide hints of answers, actually, we're talking experimental archeology here
We started off by discussing the thickness (or rather thinness) of the pugio handle. If the primary function of the pugio is a stabbing weapon, the Length and thickness of the handle resembles stabbing weapons of today. For this, see my picture of a dagger following a time-honored design.In the case of an advancing enemy, yes, I would toss anything at him, including my helmet, if this would buy me enough time to draw my primary weapon. This is however beside the point.
Mind you, there are some strange things about the later pugio's that may even give the suggestion of Titvs merit. I have wondered about the unbalance of the pugio before, as the blade is VERY wide and all the weight is up front (as in a trowing knife).
Another explanation, one which in my opinion is as likely, is the desire to increase the cutting edge of the dagger. A wide blade to the abdomen will carve a wide swatch, doing massive damage to the internal organs. There are documented cases of people walking a mile or more with a lethal stiletto wound, dead, but not knowing it yet. This would be a good case for a wider blade.
Perhaps the whole discussion is on ergonomics derived from a given use. I am in favor of regarding the pugio as a dagger, meant for close range stabbing in situations where there is no room to wield a sword or spear.
There may be merit in the suggestion that in case of emergency, the pugio could be thrown with force, this accounting for difficult to explain elements of its design. Some solid practical research may provide hints of answers, actually, we're talking experimental archeology here
