06-29-2010, 06:47 AM
I have always thought that 'hasta' ( generic spear) was the latin equivalent of the greek 'dory'/great spear, which may be defined as a large/long thrusting spear 7-9 ft long, and it is used in our sources as such. The 'lancea' is the same as, and derives from, the Greek 'longche', a shorter ( 5-7 ft) dual purpose throwing/thrusting spear, also used as a hunting spear 'par excellence', and frequently carried in pairs, both on foot and mounted.
Javelins, pure missile weapons, are smaller still at 3-5 ft, with, as you say, thinner shafts, generally a 'fat finger' thickness.... and often a throwing thong ( amentum)....
Of course, there may well be an overlap - for example there are a bewildering number of sizes and shapes for 'spearheads'.......so this classification is approximate....
Javelins, pure missile weapons, are smaller still at 3-5 ft, with, as you say, thinner shafts, generally a 'fat finger' thickness.... and often a throwing thong ( amentum)....
Of course, there may well be an overlap - for example there are a bewildering number of sizes and shapes for 'spearheads'.......so this classification is approximate....
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff