The origin of spurs

[sitalkes]

Hi, I've been finding out some pretty interesting things on my Thracian tour.

I have learnt for instance, that in Helis (or Helios), the Getic capital near the Sveshtari tomb (north-eastern Bulgaria), there have been found 11 spurs, a lance head for a cavalry sarissa, and Hellenistic catapault ammunition (plus the walls to mount catapaults of various types).

Regarding the spurs, the archaeologists say that this is proof of a non-Celtic origin for Thracian spurs. They say that there have been discoveries in Macedonia, Illyria, and Greek Thrace that back up this theory. Does anybody know anything about these other non-Celtic discoveries? I think this theory is suspect as they do not give a date for the spurs they discovered, and Helis/Helios came under attack sometime between 270-280 BC, which is the date of most of the other new finds.

Hi, Christian, if you read this I know you would desperately like to see the book I am referring to (there are pictures and they say there are four types), I'll send the text as soon as i get home or earlier if I can find a place where wireless access actually works.

Cheers,

Chris

PS i'm posting other information I have found on the Yahoo! Groups Thracian list.

[sonic]

Hi, I've been finding out some pretty interesting things on my Thracian tour.

I have learnt for instance, that in Helis (or Helios), the Getic capital near the Sveshtari tomb (north-eastern Bulgaria), there have been found 11 spurs, a lance head for a cavalry sarissa, and Hellenistic catapault ammunition (plus the walls to mount catapaults of various types).

Regarding the spurs, the archaeologists say that this is proof of a non-Celtic origin for Thracian spurs. They say that there have been discoveries in Macedonia, Illyria, and Greek Thrace that back up this theory. Does anybody know anything about these other non-Celtic discoveries? I think this theory is suspect as they do not give a date for the spurs they discovered, and Helis/Helios came under attack sometime between 270-280 BC, which is the date of most of the other new finds.

Hi, Christian, if you read this I know you would desperately like to see the book I am referring to (there are pictures and they say there are four types), I'll send the text as soon as i get home or earlier if I can find a place where wireless access actually works.

Cheers,

Chris

PS i'm posting other information I have found on the Yahoo! Groups Thracian list.

My question would be, how can they be certain that it is 'a lance head for a cavalry sarissa'? Why not any other type of spear?

[Eleatic Guest]

I thought spures only appeared with the Normans (not that I have any in-depth knowledge though). Or, just a guess, perhaps in the eastern steppe.

[sitalkes]

My question would be, how can they be certain that it is 'a lance head for a cavalry sarissa'? Why not any other type of spear?

Hi, there's a picture of the lance head in the book and the authors say it is what you would expect to see on a carefully balanced/tapering spear such as a cavalry sarissa. Sorry can't post the picture until I get home in May!

Wikipedia actually says the Romans invented spurs; there does not seem to be a lot of information available on their origins.

Cheers,

Chris

[D B Campbell]

I thought spures only appeared with the Normans (not that I have any in-depth knowledge though).

There's at least one Roman spur from Newstead, but I can't see it in Mike Bishop's online Curle.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

A good compilation of ancient spurs is here:

http://gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.p ... tial/26/27

It's in spanish. It's made by RAT member Thersites.

P.D. In spanish spur is "espuela".

[sitalkes]

A good compilation of ancient spurs is here:

http://gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.p ... tial/26/27

It's in spanish. It's made by RAT member Thersites.

P.D. In spanish spur is "espuela".

Fabulous, thankyou! I wish I spoke Spanish. Especially good to see the reconstruction of how ancient spurs were worn on shoes without heels, as modern spurs require you to wear shoes with heels for them to stay on - I was going to say that you needed to invent shoes with heels before you could invent spurs!

[Eleatic Guest]

http://gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.p ... tial/26/27

Link doesn't work with me. Could you give the name and author of the article?