10-17-2014, 09:05 PM
I am a blacksmith who recently joined a roman reenactment group and have just built some pila (pilum) and wanted to try them out. They work just as described: easily piercing plywood AND bending on impact.... pretty deadly. My question is: if you're carrying two pila and a scutum, how do you hold the second pilum while throwing the first? I've read all sorts of historical anecdotes about carrying. being issued, or throwing two pila to start off a battle, but not any practical description on HOW to do it.
I've been trying to hold the second pilum in my left hand. With my fingers wrapped overhand around the scutum handle, I wrap my thumb around the lower pilum shaft and pressing it up against the back of the scutum, I also try and keep the socket over the top of the scutum to keep it from sliding down and causing the bottom end from sticking into the ground and tripping me up. Its sort of working but a big strain on my left hand. Do any of you know a better way of doing this?
I've been trying to hold the second pilum in my left hand. With my fingers wrapped overhand around the scutum handle, I wrap my thumb around the lower pilum shaft and pressing it up against the back of the scutum, I also try and keep the socket over the top of the scutum to keep it from sliding down and causing the bottom end from sticking into the ground and tripping me up. Its sort of working but a big strain on my left hand. Do any of you know a better way of doing this?