08-02-2006, 02:00 PM
Quote:Mine is about 12 mm thick. I was also thinking about adding riding straps to it. But I'm not sure if LR cavalry used dished shields. Any idea ?Shouldn't hurt then, to use nails?
Yes, I think they did, that is to say - most if not all shield bosses point to dished shields. But that's all I know about that.
Quote:Makes sense. It seems consistent with the way the Romans tackled the Alans in 135 AD. The front ranks held up their pila as if they were pikes while the rear ranks threw their pila.And which is exactly similar to what we learn from the Strategikon, too.
Quote:Not necessarily, perhaps. Why can't you just stick your spear in the ground before you dispense with your plumbatae ? Just a thought.Sure you can, but that would mean you are not under pressure. You won't be able to throw them at a run, or against an enemy coming at you - you certainly don't have enough time to drop your weapons, fire the darts and reform your position in time to stop the charge!
Another thing is that you need lots of spcae for your arm to make the swing. You can't do that in formation, with 3 feet of space and the next guy right behind you.
Quote:BTW, were any cavalry units known to have carried a supply of plumbatae ?Nope, nor do I know of any throwing them.
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)