The Primary Weapon, Spear or Sword?

[Dan Howard]

Don't we have examples of the Romans using the heavier pilum as a spear when in a defensive formation? Caesar mentions this tactic during the seige of Alesia. It is also described during one of the battles against Pompey. And a third account mentions a legionary parrying with his pilum so much that it resembled a strigil. Connolly reckons that the pilum started to be used as a thrusting spear after the velites were phased out. What about auxilliaries? Did they primarily use swords or spears? Most of Caesar's campaign was carried out by auxilliaries and practically the entire Dacian campaign involved auxilliaries. IMO the gladius was the primary weapon only on very limited occasions: when the legions were involved, when they were on open ground, and when they were on the offensive (only after throwing both pila). On all other occasions the spear was the primary weapon. Just as it was the primary weapon of virtually every other army that ever took to the field of battle.

The Romans didn't win wars because they had swords. They won because they were better organised, better trained, had better logistics, and were able to come back again and again even after severe defeats.