pilum
Quick Summary
The pilum was a heavy javelin used by Roman foot soldiers. It was about five feet long and had a heavy head of soft iron that made up nearly one-third of its total length. This design restricted its range but increased its impact. The soft iron head was intended to bend upon impact, preventing the enemy from throwing it back. The javelin, in general, is a shorter, lighter throwing spear compared to those used for shock combat. While spears evolved into various forms like pikes and lances, the javelin, including the pilum, retained its characteristic form for a long time.123
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Roman legionaries used the pilum, a heavy seven-foot-long javelin. Foot soldiers were not the only ones to use spearlike weapons. Greek, Macedonian, and Roman cavalry and the mounted knights of the European Middle Ages all carried lances. Pole-arms and tactics evolved along these lines until the 14th, 15th, and…
Read MoreRoman legionaries used the pilum, a heavy seven-foot-long javelin. Foot soldiers were not the only ones to use spearlike weapons. Greek, Macedonian, and Roman cavalry and the mounted knights of the European Middle Ages all carried lances. Pole-arms and tactics evolved along these lines until the 14th, 15th, and…
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tacticsThe legion…delivered by the javelin, or pilum, of which most (after 100 bc, all) legionnaires carried two. Screening was provided by light troops moving in front, cohesion by pikemen in the third and rearmost rank. Short arms made it easier for individual soldiers or subunits to turn and change direction. Too,…
Read More…delivered by the javelin, or pilum, of which most (after 100 bc, all) legionnaires carried two. Screening was provided by light troops moving in front, cohesion by pikemen in the third and rearmost rank. Short arms made it easier for individual soldiers or subunits to turn and change direction. Too,…
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