07-11-2013, 10:53 AM
I reviewed the thread I recall from a year ago or so that discussed various ranges after making a comment the other day. But I don't know if any re-enactors or experimental-archaeology tests could help?
What is the effective range for a volley of pila? I threw javelin competitively at school for over 6 years and even using a sport-javelin and with a practised run up and spikes to help stop and maximise the impetus (let alone the shortened right leg, damaged left shoulder and curved spine that went with all the practice :oops: ) I could get out to ~40m when still a teenager - of course Olympic athletes can double that now with ease.
Assuming, however, that Roman soldiers volleyed from a standing start (otherwise messing up their formations entirely), what would be the likely range? I would have assumed some 50ft or so. Would only the front rank throw? How easy is it to volley pila over other ranks? If deployed 10x6 how would a group of 60 throw pila?
I've even been more puzzled that the early (Polybian-era) legionaries were supposed to have two pila, one thick and one thin. They could hold on to the thick one and throw the thin 'further' before a second, heavier, volley? All before making sure the formation is re-made and swords drawn? Or would they have used them for different things and had them on the ground next to them to choose between them?
Stems from the thought that we don't have a drill manual for such to tell us........
What is the effective range for a volley of pila? I threw javelin competitively at school for over 6 years and even using a sport-javelin and with a practised run up and spikes to help stop and maximise the impetus (let alone the shortened right leg, damaged left shoulder and curved spine that went with all the practice :oops: ) I could get out to ~40m when still a teenager - of course Olympic athletes can double that now with ease.
Assuming, however, that Roman soldiers volleyed from a standing start (otherwise messing up their formations entirely), what would be the likely range? I would have assumed some 50ft or so. Would only the front rank throw? How easy is it to volley pila over other ranks? If deployed 10x6 how would a group of 60 throw pila?
I've even been more puzzled that the early (Polybian-era) legionaries were supposed to have two pila, one thick and one thin. They could hold on to the thick one and throw the thin 'further' before a second, heavier, volley? All before making sure the formation is re-made and swords drawn? Or would they have used them for different things and had them on the ground next to them to choose between them?
Stems from the thought that we don't have a drill manual for such to tell us........
