08-15-2003, 05:45 AM
Well, nothing from Primozpedan, but I came across these images from a private US collection:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://www.romanofficer.com/Images/permcol11tn.jpg" style="border:0;"/> <img src="http://www.romanofficer.com/Images/permcol11-2tn.jpg" style="border:0;"/> The caption says [url=http://www.romanofficer.com/permcol.html" target="top]here[/url]:<br>
"These two Plumbata (lead-weighted hand thrown dart) tops are extremely rare in that they are weighted with clay rather than lead. Evidently if the dart upon impact would not penetrate an enemy's shield then the clay's fragmentation would have effect. A late edition to Roman weapons, the Plumbata had more range than any other hand-thrown missile, including the spear and javelin. "<br>
<br>
Clay weights sure would be different from lead weights, but they would primarily be lighter. The sources we have on plumbatae (mainly Vegetius) never mention clay used as weight.<br>
However, bearing in mind this collector also claims to own Sarmatian armour from Britain (discussed earlier on RAT) and misdating crossbow brooches by 2 centuries, I am thinking this clay needs not be original, but just may be an art-dealers' attempt to make the items a bit more attractive.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 10/24/03 7:31 pm<br></i>
<br>
<img src="http://www.romanofficer.com/Images/permcol11tn.jpg" style="border:0;"/> <img src="http://www.romanofficer.com/Images/permcol11-2tn.jpg" style="border:0;"/> The caption says [url=http://www.romanofficer.com/permcol.html" target="top]here[/url]:<br>
"These two Plumbata (lead-weighted hand thrown dart) tops are extremely rare in that they are weighted with clay rather than lead. Evidently if the dart upon impact would not penetrate an enemy's shield then the clay's fragmentation would have effect. A late edition to Roman weapons, the Plumbata had more range than any other hand-thrown missile, including the spear and javelin. "<br>
<br>
Clay weights sure would be different from lead weights, but they would primarily be lighter. The sources we have on plumbatae (mainly Vegetius) never mention clay used as weight.<br>
However, bearing in mind this collector also claims to own Sarmatian armour from Britain (discussed earlier on RAT) and misdating crossbow brooches by 2 centuries, I am thinking this clay needs not be original, but just may be an art-dealers' attempt to make the items a bit more attractive.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=vortigernstudies>Vortigern Studies</A> at: 10/24/03 7:31 pm<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)