Orlat Battle Plaque\'s Importance

[John Conyard]

Yes, the Orlat plaqus do show long siyahs mouned at an extreme angle, unlike the Chinese image from Hebei.

But very like the much later Kotan brocade. A strung bow case with two arrow tube-like quivers, assymetrical bow, long sihahs, all carried vetically and high on the belt.

This textile mirrors the illustration of the Niya bow from an Osprey book you show above. This is also generally considered to be AD mid 3rd century.

The Niya is described as having bone pieces at the ears and
grip, and assymetrical. Take a look at:

http://www.atarn.org/magyar/niya.htm
http://www.atarn.org/magyar/niya_2.htm
http://www.atarn.org/chinese/khotan_bow.htm

I suspect some of us already view this forum and it is a good source for information.

I use the term Hunnic too often but Niya seems to fall within the remit, and
be dated around AD 250-350. The long quiver tubes and the strung bow case
match those from Orlat.

http://www.pontos.dk/publications/papers...er-weapons
has a crack at identifying a find of such a double tubular quiver in the
Bosporan kingdom. They seem to get get longer through time, perhaps
something to do with increasing draw lengths and bow laths.

I suspect such Asiatic quivers with integral tubular quivers allowed the
Hunnic bows to be carried strung. But there are very heavy and in time it woul amke sense to separate the bow case from the arrow quiver.

Although all of the above ignores he issue of sword shape and style. Artists licence seldoms comes with a date of issue. :wink: