04-02-2003, 10:47 PM
Hi,<br>
<br>
We're not sure what they looked like. There was the Martiobarbulus, the Plumbata mamillata and another, spiked version, the Plumbata tribolata. We've found only the weighted head of the mamillata version, and trials have given several results which are inconclusive as to conclusion about the total length. Some say it was a shorter dart, some say it was about a metre long.<br>
<br>
Vegetius talks about them:<br>
<br>
Epitoma 1.17:<br>
... Quinos autem mattiobarbulos insertos scutis portare consuerunt, quos si oportune milites iactent, prope sagittariorum scutati imitari videntur officium. ...<br>
<br>
'... They used carry five marsbarbs inserted into the shields, which if the soldiers throw them skilfully, almost makes the shieldbearers appear to imitate the function of archers. ...'<br>
<br>
Epitoma 2.15:<br>
<br>
... plumbatas quinas positas in scutis ...<br>
<br>
'... five leadweighted darts placed in the shields ...'<br>
<br>
---------------<br>
<br>
I posted a picture of a shorter version from the French group 'The foederati':<br>
<img src="http://www.fectio.org.uk/plumbata1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
Len makes the longer version, I'll post a picture of that one later.<br>
<br>
Cheers,<br>
Robert<br>
[url=http://www.fectio.org.uk/" target="top]FECTIO[/url] <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 4/3/03 12:49:05 am<br></i>
<br>
We're not sure what they looked like. There was the Martiobarbulus, the Plumbata mamillata and another, spiked version, the Plumbata tribolata. We've found only the weighted head of the mamillata version, and trials have given several results which are inconclusive as to conclusion about the total length. Some say it was a shorter dart, some say it was about a metre long.<br>
<br>
Vegetius talks about them:<br>
<br>
Epitoma 1.17:<br>
... Quinos autem mattiobarbulos insertos scutis portare consuerunt, quos si oportune milites iactent, prope sagittariorum scutati imitari videntur officium. ...<br>
<br>
'... They used carry five marsbarbs inserted into the shields, which if the soldiers throw them skilfully, almost makes the shieldbearers appear to imitate the function of archers. ...'<br>
<br>
Epitoma 2.15:<br>
<br>
... plumbatas quinas positas in scutis ...<br>
<br>
'... five leadweighted darts placed in the shields ...'<br>
<br>
---------------<br>
<br>
I posted a picture of a shorter version from the French group 'The foederati':<br>
<img src="http://www.fectio.org.uk/plumbata1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
Len makes the longer version, I'll post a picture of that one later.<br>
<br>
Cheers,<br>
Robert<br>
[url=http://www.fectio.org.uk/" target="top]FECTIO[/url] <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 4/3/03 12:49:05 am<br></i>
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)