01-25-2006, 02:12 PM
Quote:Has anyone tried to see how long it would take to say have a formation volley fire five off in a row?None that I know of.
For now, we are still busy with the question who and when they were thrown!
One group has the front rank step forward and throw, then move back through the ranks and repeat the move, until all ranks have thrown.
I'm almost sure this was not how it was done. It would make the formation unstable, not to mention the 1 metre-distance between each man when the front rank moves back, something we have discussed and not ever seen in any source (besides, Vegetius says each man occupies 6 feet - that includes the space to the next man!). Also, this way you can't fire a complete volley from all the arnks at once.
My guess, therefore, is that plumbatae were either thrown from a great distance to the enemy lines (ranges of 70 metres now seeming normal) or thrown by the back 4 ranks over the heads of the 4 ranks in front of them, all through the battle.
Quote:I can only speculate, but would improvements in armor along with the less infantry and more cavalry formations have been the reason that it faded out of use, along with improvements in bows and their range and power?
No, I don't think so. These weapons entered service at the very end of the 3rd c., and I can't see any improvements in armor with the enemies after that. Cavalry makes no difference, I'd say that a good plumbatae volley can stop any cavalry charge or at least throw it into confusion.
Bows were already present, range and power (I think) did not develop that much.
One reason for any demise might be the end of the state-funded standing armies in the West.
On the other hand, we know they continued in use in the East for some time.
I have an as yet unconfirmed claim that they were also in use during Frankish times.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)