06-05-2009, 04:52 PM
The hoplite spear or dory is of debatable form, but for the sake of this thread I will describe it as follows:
It was about 8' in length with a small, light head and a larger (heavier?) sauroter at the base. The shaft tapered from base to point and between the taper and the sauroter the balance point and the grip would have been between 1/4 and 1/3 of the spear length from the base. Thus a reach between 5-6'. The spear described above is seen clearly below, and while foreshortening may make the head seem smaller or exagerate thetaper, the grip placement is telling. This image is one of the most detailed I have found, showing the attatchment points of the side of the T-Y cuirasse, which is an uncommon detail. (If you are following the sauroter thread, look, no lead)
My question is if any other historical spear conformed to this description.
It was about 8' in length with a small, light head and a larger (heavier?) sauroter at the base. The shaft tapered from base to point and between the taper and the sauroter the balance point and the grip would have been between 1/4 and 1/3 of the spear length from the base. Thus a reach between 5-6'. The spear described above is seen clearly below, and while foreshortening may make the head seem smaller or exagerate thetaper, the grip placement is telling. This image is one of the most detailed I have found, showing the attatchment points of the side of the T-Y cuirasse, which is an uncommon detail. (If you are following the sauroter thread, look, no lead)
My question is if any other historical spear conformed to this description.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"