08-15-2001, 06:15 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
Vegetius 1.12 describes the Roman preference for stabbing over slashing, though other source references make clear that Roman swordplay was cut and thrust throughout the republican and imperial period. The author explicitly states that this emphasis was due to the fact that a slashing blow would hit parts of the body that were likely to be protected by armour and bones.<br>
<br>
Latin text and English translation of book 1.11-20 from M. Bishop's Armamentarium site<br>
<br>
Whether they were trained to do so or not, head and face wounds are quite frequently mentioned in descriptions of Roman battles, something that has a parallel in the wounds inflicted on the victims of the battle of Visby in the Middle Ages.<br>
<br>
<i> Eaters of the dead</i> is a novel if I am not mistaken (the one used for <i> The thirteeenth warrior</i>) and I am not as well versed in Viking matters, but perhaps a germanophile like Tim O'Neill may know more about how correct its contents are.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Vegetius 1.12 describes the Roman preference for stabbing over slashing, though other source references make clear that Roman swordplay was cut and thrust throughout the republican and imperial period. The author explicitly states that this emphasis was due to the fact that a slashing blow would hit parts of the body that were likely to be protected by armour and bones.<br>
<br>
Latin text and English translation of book 1.11-20 from M. Bishop's Armamentarium site<br>
<br>
Whether they were trained to do so or not, head and face wounds are quite frequently mentioned in descriptions of Roman battles, something that has a parallel in the wounds inflicted on the victims of the battle of Visby in the Middle Ages.<br>
<br>
<i> Eaters of the dead</i> is a novel if I am not mistaken (the one used for <i> The thirteeenth warrior</i>) and I am not as well versed in Viking matters, but perhaps a germanophile like Tim O'Neill may know more about how correct its contents are.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
