01-08-2008, 03:19 AM
Quote:But it is hardness of the wood that the manuals stress, leading me to think that strength is the major consideration - more appropriate to a "fending off" weapon than to a missile....not so, for the physics reasons I thought I had made clear above...just apply the formulae.
It should be pointed out that the early Imperial Romans used 'pila' against both cavalry and infantry impartially, although in Arrian's order of battle against the Alans he has the very front rank hang on to theirs for 'fending' purposes.....
Normally the ranks of legionaries advanced to contact in 'open' order(by ranks, i.e. alternate men step forward/ back so that one rank in close order becomes two in open order). Once in range, two open order ranks at a time, they ran forward, threw 'pila', drew swords, closed up into one rank close order and charged in close order into the foe.....
So far as throwing weapon versus long spear is concerned as an anti-cavalry weapon, a line of horses brought down at ten-twenty yards by heavy throwing weapons, will break a charge very effectively, and is more 'offensive' than merely keeping them at a distance with spears - hence Arrian's tactics against Sarmatian Alans.
"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