How does one scale a latter in full armor during a siege ?

[Theodosius the Great]

Quote:</em></strong><hr>I would have my ... gladius attached to my wrist via a leather strap. This way I can climb the ladder with both hands. On arrival I would swing the gladius in my hand <hr><br>
<br>
Petrus, if you hang your gladius from your wrist and climb the latter at that angle, isn't there a real danger you'll accidently jab yourself in the thigh ?<br>
<br>
Yeesh....that'd be one nasty self-inflicted wound .<br>
<br>
-Theo <p></p><i></i>

[Gregg]

For what it’s worth, there are quite a number of surviving depictions of soldiers climbing siege ladders from the middle ages. Here is one interesting example (sorry, I cropped the top a bit too much):<br>
<br>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/ZorchG/siegeladder1.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
Both soldiers depicted are using two handed spears or pole-arms. The one on the left has a large triangular shield, probably strapped over his shoulder. Both soldiers are wearing heavy helmets and probably breast plates or coat-of-plates.<br>
<br>
Other medieval depictions show men climbing siege ladders with pole arms or spears, which may have been considered a good weapon for some reason. Other depictions show men scaling ladders (always in armor and sometimes in full plate) with a sword or shield in one hand, and seem to suggest that no more than one hand needed to be free while climbing.<br>
<br>
Gregg<br>
<p></p><i></i>

[Paullus]

It could be that the pole arm allowed them to stab anyone peering over the edge of the wall in the face. Particularly useful when the guy is ready to throw a javelin or a rock at you What evidence is there for legionnaires exchanging pilum for hasta or lancea in siege situations? Or is it possible that the auxillaries paved the way first? <p></p><i></i>