07-09-2010, 07:12 AM
Quote:A spear is around 2-3 metres long. Certainly something you can use on handed. A contos/kontos/sarissa is at least 4 meters long and something you use two handed.It's a case of terminology, and we know that ancient authors did not use a strict dictionary. When Arrian equipped his infantry with the kontos he probably did not have the 4m-long sarissa in mind. I suggest that contus/kontos in an infantry context may be compared to the hasta (and suggest a length between 1.80m/6 ft and 2.70m/9 ft), and that some Late Roman cavalry weapons might be shorter than 4 m. I agree with you John about sub-Roman British cavalry probably using spears up to 3m and javelins, not kontoi.
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)