Is the Short Sword and Shield Overrated?

[Matthew Amt]

Strictly speaking, what the auxiliaries used was the lancea, a throwing spear with an amentum (throwing loop). Still a spear, granted! Good for throwing or thrusting. I tend to think of the hasta as meant for thrusting rather than throwing (due perhaps to length or weight). But now we're into hair-splitting, of course, since the discussion is really about swords and *spears*, of whatever type.

Valete,

Matthew