[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The info about the pilum does not explain its use very clearly:

"The head was presumably intended to penetrate both a wooden shield and body armour, the long iron shank passing through the hole made by the head. Once the weapon had struck home, the shank might bend, rendering it impossible to return it."

The use of the pilum was primarilly to jab into the enemy shield and bend. Then the enemy is unable to use his shield. The soldier then draws his short sword with a tremendous advantage.


The reason why Romans used the "Spanish sword", more commonly known by historians as the 'short sword' was because it was better at getting around large shields in battle. My friends and I back in high school simulated the use of various 'swords' and shields. It's very difficult to get around a Roman sized shield with an ordinary sword.

Centuries later, barbarian mercenaries convinced the Romans to do away with the short sword. I can only guess that lack of training made 'machoism' win out.

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning, amigo -- I'm off to bed. See y'all.

[beachn4fun]

Hey, Arthur.......

[tomkow6]

 

Hi, Arthur Wildfire! March!

Welcome to the Canteen!

Wanna buy a burka?

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Arthur Wilfire, for adding the info about the pilum.

[Wild Thing]

Welcome to the Canteen.
Have a great day.

Wild Thing

[MoJo2001]

Good afternoon, AWM. Welcome to the Canteen!! Great to have you joining us today! *HUGS*

[LaDivaLoca]

Welcome to the Canteen and Thank you, Arthur, for the additional information.