08-31-2007, 12:06 AM
Quote:they could be thrown with a sling about 300-400 meters, much like a lead sling bullet. That's pretty much a good reason, don't you reckon? Anyway, the Greeks did it with a very similar weapon. Just looking for that picture
David, the only weapon I know that fits that description is the kestrosphendone or kestros, a Hellenistic sling-type weapon used to throw short darts with a metal head about two palms ( 6"/ 15 cm) attached to a wooden shaft half a cubit (9"/23 cm ) long (like a pilum)and about a finger thick. It had three short wooden flights. It is described in detail by Livy, who records them being used against the Romans by Perseus of Macedon's troops, but it is uncertain if the weapon was a hand-sling or staff-sling. IIRC Robert/Valerius/Vortigern Studies posted a picture some months ago.......
"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