02-24-2013, 07:25 PM
Pila were missile weapons, and were used in volleys against incoming troops, mounted or on foot. There was a leaf-shaped head on some pila that is thought to have been used against elephants/horses. On one occasion I can think of, Caesar instructed his troops to hold on to their second pilun, and use them to thrust into the faces of attacking cavalry. (Demoralizing, eh?)
They were too short to be used as pikes in the traditional sense. Much more effective to stick one in somebody's mount at ten paces than to wait until the cavalryman's longer lance was in your own face, wouldn't you think?
Once a line of infantry broke and ran, cavalry were used to run down and slaughter the fleeing soldiers. I don't think they'd have been used often in a frontal attack, but their greater speed would be used to flank and surround troops held in place by other infantry.
They were too short to be used as pikes in the traditional sense. Much more effective to stick one in somebody's mount at ten paces than to wait until the cavalryman's longer lance was in your own face, wouldn't you think?
Once a line of infantry broke and ran, cavalry were used to run down and slaughter the fleeing soldiers. I don't think they'd have been used often in a frontal attack, but their greater speed would be used to flank and surround troops held in place by other infantry.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
