How Common was the Amentum/Throwing Loop?

[rrgg]

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/1301/spear2.jpg

Was the throwing loop of the Greco-Roman era used exclusively with light javelins or was it common among one-handed thrusting spears as well? Would heavy infantrymen such as hoplites frequently have a need to throw their spears rather than engage in an phalanx?

[PMBardunias]

The Chigi is very early, so they may have been throwing spears as they closed either at that date or close enough in the past to remember it as the way they used to fight. Note how short even the longer of the two spears is there. They are more like the dual use longche than the longer dory used by later hoplites.

There are some instances of later hoplites throwing spears, but interestingly in each case they are tossing them down hill. If the later 8' dory was in fact tapered and/or backweighted so as to be balanced about a third of the length up from the base, then throwing any distance would be problematic. Like a lawn dart, such a spear would turn in flight so that the heavier end went first- in this case the rear.

What hoplites did throw when missiles were needed was rocks.

[rrgg]

Thanks,

On a somewhat related note, in between mass battles would there be many situations where a tight phalanx was not ideal such as fights involving small numbers or disruptive terrain?
Or I suppose how versatile was a Hoplite's gear?

[PMBardunias]

how versatile was a Hoplite's gear?

They were able to storm over the walls of cities while bearing the hoplite panoply as well as fighting in smaller groups. A good example of the latter is the Spartan outrunners- younger hoplites who would sprint out from the phalanx to catch peltasts and slaughter them. The fact that this worked shows that they could fight at least as equals with lighter troops in disrupted formation.

Rememeber too that battles ended with one side breaking and the other chasing with both formations disrupted. This, we are told (Plato, Laches), is when the combat skills and martial arts taught by hoplomachoi was uselful. Evidently making a stand in a small group was a good way to stay alive in this tumolt while the pursuers chased down easier prey.

While it is my opinion that a hoplite would be at a disadvantage in a disorganized melee against a man with a few changes, a single, center grip shield and perhaps a more handy, shorter spear for example, the panoply was a compromize and surely good enough if the man were bold.

[Old Husker]

With regard to tight formations, I don't think that the mechanics of phalanx warfare allowed for another option in fixed battle. Faced with a larger oppossing force, you wouldn't disperse your order, but rather thinned files as much as possible to maintain a tight formation across the broadest front lest you be outlflanked and enveloped. Paul's right-on with the note that all this changed once a formation was broken and in retreat. Then, just 'looking tough' could help, as Socrates and Laches on their own managed to persuade their foes to seek easier targets after Delium by keeping their arms and a menacing appearance.