05-13-2014, 02:24 PM
Quote:Surprisingly much less/almost nothing was found at orient(by which I mean everything behind Constantinople more to the eeast).Any theory why?
Several.
The 'regional' theory makes this a purely western weapon, which was only used by the field army troops. This would in general explain why 'less modern' units in Spain or Africa did not use it. I'm not sure I agree with this theory, because Roman units were travelling all over the empire.
The 'excavation' theory blames it on the way archaeology is done is several countries. Britain scores much higher 928) than other countries in Western Europe, while in others such as Turky or Syria the plumbata may not be recognised as such. This theory does not take into account that British archaeologists also work on near Eastern sites.
I don't really know, to be sure. Some plumbatae are from the 6th century, which means they were not a weapon used for a short time. And yet they do not show up on many Roman sites. Dura Europos for instance has shown no plumbatae at all - I asked Simon James himself.
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)