Pila range and how?

[Mark Graef]

Ancient sources tell us.
Roman troops would lay aside Pila and not throw them when the tactical situation demanded.
Could I trouble you for a citation, please? I believe you, but I would like to read it for myself. I'm amazed that I haven't come noticed that.
Tyler

Here are a few mentions of laying aside the pila and drawing gladii that I have run across. There may be other instances; I'm still working my way through Livius and noting all of his mentions of tactics & weapon wielding.


Caesar, Bello Gallico, 1.52.4: Relictis pilis comminus gladiis pugnatum est. (Throwing aside [therefore] their javelins, they fought with swords hand to hand.)

Caesar, Bello Gallico, 7.88.2 Nostri omissis pilis gladiis rem gerunt. (Our troops, laying aside their javelins, carry on the engagement with their swords.)

Livius 2.30.12: . . . defixis pilis stare suos iussit: ubi ad manum uenisset hostis, tum coortos tota ui gladiis rem gerere. (He commanded his men to plant their spears in the ground and stand still until the enemy had come to close quarters; then they were to assail them with all their might, and settle the question with the sword.)

Livius 7.16.5: piloque posito stricto gladio in hostem impetum facit. (Then, laying down his javelin, he drew his sword and charged the foe.)

Plutarch, Sulla 18.4: . . . the Romans threw down their javelins, drew their swords, and sought to dash the pikes aside.