Disappearance of velites

[sonic]

IIRC the last mention of velites is for Sulla's army around 80BC in Plutarch.

The last mention may be by Plutarch around 80BC, but it is possible that they could have lasted much longer in some theatres than in others. Their usefulness in rugged terrain such as Spain may have resulted in them being retained for longer than in, for example, the East where they were vulnerable to cavalry attacks. I hope that NG is not arguing from negative evidence that they ceased at the time Plutarch last wrote of them!! (Hi 'Nicholas' - Ian)

On them using javelins, I always thought that the velites were armed with a much lighter version of the pilum? I also thought that it was these, lighter versions of the pilum that were designed to bend, not the ordinary ones? Mind you, most of the above is based on memories from my (far too distant) days at University, so I could easily be making the entire thing up!

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Ian (Sonic) Hughes