Gaesum-Soliferrum

[Rumo]

However, in my opinion there is simply no differernce between a Gaesum and a Soliferrum... I insist that for me the piece of Pollux is quite clear.

Literally, "??????????" (all-iron) is the greek term that means "soliferrum" (only-iron), and "??????" is a quite evident Greek lecture for "gaesum".

I've searched for more occurences of the two words. As far as I understand, in Latin soliferr(e)um is a noun referring to a specific type of javelin. In Greek, however, olosid?ros/-on is an adjective meaning "all-iron" and it applies to spears and javelins but also knives, helmets and other objects. For example, in Plutarch's Camillus, XL.4 we find all-iron helmets (????? ?????????). Were these soliferr(e)a? :wink:
As such, is doru olosid?ron a soliferr(e)um or just another type of all-iron spear (javelin)? Whatever the answer, the decisive proof it is not in the text of Pollux.


For further research, here are two more occurences of all-iron missiles in Greek texts:

Plutarch's Aemilius Paulus, XIX.5: Fighting against Romans, in a rain of missiles (????), Perseus was wounded by an all-iron one (?????? ??????????)

In the Roman History of Appian we find a more detailed description. In V.82 we read of Menecrates being wounded by an Iberian all-iron (??????????) javelin (????????) with many barbs (??????????).


For all the links in this post I'm grateful to Jona.