06-04-2007, 04:18 AM
Quote:Indeed! Are you familiar with the cestospendon?I take it you mean the weapon referred to in Livy and the lexicographer, Suidas( and reputedly drawn from Polybius ). This weapon was two palms long (15cm) attached to a shaft half a cubit long(23cm) and a finger thick, with three short flights - rather akin to catapult bolts.
The reconstruction in the link, was most interesting - thank you very much - but seems to re-inforce the view ( judging by the somewhat unimpressive results ) that the kestros was more likely to be launched by the more powerful staff sling.
I'm amazed that the thing could be got to work at all!
Quote:You may well be right, we just don't know yet. Surely an easy experiment - work from your best range - get some properly equipped troops to "charge" across the distance to give a rough timescale and crosscheck against how long to discharge five plumbata, probably from having them in the ground in front ( this was also practised by mediaeval english longbowmen) - a bit rough and ready but should give something like the right order of magnitude.
I have some doubts about the use or efffectiveness of rear ranks throwing overhead once battle is joined - the range would just seem too close ( c.f the vietcong tactic of minimising artillery/mortar/air-support by "grasping the enemy by the belt buckle"-different range, same principle ). On the other hand, Alexander evidently thought that replacing some of the middle ranks of the pike phalanx with missile troops would be a good thing . Of course we don't know if that was intended for close combat , or to give the phalanx some flexibility and long range 'combat power'......ah, one can speculate endlessly, which of course is what keeps RAT going ...! [/quote]
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff