Lorica Hamata being pierced by arrows

[Alanus]

Thanks, Conal

That was quite the posture. I noticed, like with most yew "self" bows, the draw length was at 28-29 inches with the 90-pounder. I have no idea where his posture came from, because you needn't stoop while using heavy poundage, perhaps even bad for your back.

As you and I noted, steppe archers began their art in early childhood and they could work up to heavier poundage. Personally, I doubt many actually used 100 pound bows. Draw weights of 60 to 75 pounds were probably common. However, there's an "X factor." They drew back to the collar bone, not the mouth, and the draw length was up to 30 to 32 inches. I don't know how to calculate the additional draw-weight of (let's say) a 60 pound bow designated by the standard of a 28 inch draw. It might be significantly heavier because the bow is reaching its limit and "stacking." Also, the speed and "snappiness" of the Sarmat-Hunnic bow with siyahs was (and is) much more impressive than a wooden long bow. These factors, plus the sheer number of arrows, resulted in a Parthian victory at Carrhae.