01-11-2007, 08:15 PM
Quote:This may be silly, but in my opinion plumbata could have been a perfect weapon for anti-cavalry purposes, breaking the order. Unprotected horses would go crazy after being hit these things. Imagine a lead weighted plumbata dangling in the side of a horse....
We think so too. Gruesome.
That's why (with the current range hypothesised at a 100 meters) they would be as effective when thrown from behind the first 4 ranks during the battle, as they would be when thrown by the front ranks.
Hey, even the troops from the artillery and the wagons are told to carry some - that sounds more like a defence against fast attacks from enemy cavalry than against enemy infantry.
And remember, sitting on a horse it's much more difficult to duck... :twisted:
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)