08-05-2014, 11:30 AM
I had always thought that the long metal points/shanks of 'classic' pila (ie those commonly depicted or described and before any idea of the spiculum was introduced), whether they be socketed shanks, or pinned/dowelled, or additionally weighted with lead(?) balls; were described as un/low-tempered and/or, when breakable wooden dowels are used, so that they become, effectively, one-shot weapons and unsuitable for an enemy to re-use; or help encumber a penetrated shield.
I did see a comment, however, that when pila were used to also try and hold off cavalry that the shanks were indeed more tempered to facilitate this; although that would seem to go against the original purpose.
Does anyone know if there is a written reference to that effect, or whether it has been determined from examining the metallic structure of an actual find? If the latter, I just wondered if it might have been a mis-diagnosis of tempering during manufacture and the actual process was age-hardening?
I did see a comment, however, that when pila were used to also try and hold off cavalry that the shanks were indeed more tempered to facilitate this; although that would seem to go against the original purpose.
Does anyone know if there is a written reference to that effect, or whether it has been determined from examining the metallic structure of an actual find? If the latter, I just wondered if it might have been a mis-diagnosis of tempering during manufacture and the actual process was age-hardening?
