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+--- Thread: Sword vs Spear (/showthread.php?tid=30226)
Sword vs Spear - Todd Lewis - 01-27-2017
I've often wondered which melee weapon is most effective the sword or the spear? The only two armies that I know that heavily used swords were the Romans and Fedual Japan. Most other armies ancient and medieval I know of primarily used spears primarily but not exclusively. For example was the Roman Army under Caeser with the Gladius or the Roman infantry man under Stilicho with the Spatha more effective than say the infantry of Heraclius in the 7th century who primarily used spears. I realize this is an overly broad question but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of killing men face to face in formation which is more effective?
RE: Sword vs Spear - Flavivs Aetivs - 01-28-2017
That depends on the context and the situation. The Roman army under Stilicho would have had spears as their primary armament as well, and switched to swords when their spears broke or weren't effective.
RE: Sword vs Spear - Dan Howard - 01-28-2017
Romans only used swords under limited situations. Usually only when they were on the offensive and fighting on open ground. Spears were used in other situations. Japanese never used swords as their primary battlefield weapon. They used polearms like everyone else.
RE: Sword vs Spear - Flavivs Aetivs - 01-28-2017
Quote:Romans only used swords under limited situations. Usually only when they were on the offensive and fighting on open ground.
I would not take that as gospel. The Pilum pretty easily doubles as a spear, yeah, but the disparate lack of spearheads in Roman archaeology associated with infantry stations prior to the 3rd century AD is quite telling.
RE: Sword vs Spear - Dan Howard - 01-28-2017
There are no spearheads because the pilum served the same purpose. Which author mentioned the legionary who parried with his pilum so much that it resembled a strigil?