06-22-2009, 11:39 PM
Quote: 1. Did they have a sort of weapons-embargo then ? And was the limes as it was then more or less a means to control this, -- or simpler spoken: was one of the tasks of the Obergermanisch-Rätische Limes to control the flow of weapons to the outside of the imperium ?Yes, the Romans laws are clearly intending to prohibit the flow of arms to the barbarians. And the Danish bog finds shows how valued those arms were.
(The property of germanic veterans that served with the romans and returned to their homesteads after retirement nonwithstanding)
Quote:2. Did the germanic tribes need the "classical repertoire" of (then) modern warfare ( spatha, shields with iron bosses, chainmail or similar,javelins, lances) or could they "make do" with something simpler like wooden clubs with/without iron/steel spikes.I'm not sure that's what they were using, but it seems that those weapons were considered 'the things to bring'for battle. Clubs with spikes may nog do so well against lances and armour. I only know of Sassanid cavalry being unhorsed by 'Palestinian clubmen' (but where did I read that? I forgot).
In the latter case I think it would be hard to prove that they used them for their "low-profile" in the use of iron/steel.
Maybe the widespread use of such "non-ferous" or "minimal-ferous" devices would explain the low number of finds that can be clearly adressed as "germanic weapons?
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)