Greek half-kneeling archers

[Alanus]

Back to you, Martin

Yes, you are correct that illustration #2 is actually the "prelude" to the Scythian method of stringing a bow, so it's really an "artistic" projection of the moves required for stringing. You are presenting suppositions, whereas I'm inclined to look at hard fact... actually, hard fact upon the battlefield.

In the original post, Stephen Lalar pointed out, "My attempts to copy the technique are agonizing." Even worse, trying to string a bow by using your knee is dangerous. The result is constant failure because the shape of a human knee is rounded. Take a bow, any bow beyond that of a child, and try this method. It's a physical impossibility.

So, what I'm saying-- aside from artistic rendering, or half-kneeling as some form of self-induced handicap-- is nothing more than pragmatics. You can draw a picture of a Greek jumping to the moon, but the physicality of him actually reaching the moon becomes the Big Moot Point. Since we have a number of "half kneeling" illustrations, we know such an odd practice did exist. However, such theatrics would not be used in battle conditions where you're trying to keep the enemy from reaching you. The position is unsteady, wavering, and a waste of arrows.

I'll not argue the point any further. But I am concerned about safety. Bows are dangerous even to oneself. I caution anyone who might try stringing a bow by kneeling and using their knee. It's dangerous and will not work... and you could poke out your eye.