06-03-2007, 05:46 PM
Quote: Most interesting, and thanks, Robert......given that my mother's family come from that part of the world, and the proclivity of boys to pass on their games to the next generation, that may explain where the tradition came from....That would explain a lot! Yes, of course your differed from the one shown, but these were developed from what I read was a very developed sport.
The launch technique is identical, though our effective "launch length" for the string was 18-20" inches. The arrows themselves, as mentioned, were modified commercial arrows, rather than the specialised, long, unflighted, tapering arrows shown.
Quote:But we digress - whilst the idea of amentum aided plumbata is attractive, it would seem that a more than adequate range could be achieved without it.Indeed! Are you familiar with the cestospendon?
Quote: The number carried was probably significant ( why not two?why not ten? )You may well be right, we just don't know yet. I made a contraption where 5 fitted on the right side of my scutum - my guess was that it would be hard or imposssible to draw 5 on the left side, where the shield arm blocks retrieving them easily.
My guess is that the number corresponds to the number a trained soldier could get off in the time it took a charging foe to cross the 'fire zone' and I'd assume enemy infantry here and I'd futher guess that both underarm and overarm techniques were used - overarm lends itself to'point blank' deliveries, and launching over ranks in front and the impression gained from re-enactors seems to be that most achieve max range with an underarm throw.
My other guess was and is that front troops left them before battle was joined, so that they formed a supply for the ranks 5-8, who would throw them over the head of the first 4 ranks.
Quote: Is this consistent with re-enactors experiences, or are my guesses way off-track ?That depends - if you stick them in the ground your rate of fire will be higher than when they are still 'inside the shield'.
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)