Munich Archeological Museum
Roman Military Equipment
Roman Weapons
Pilum / Lance / Spear / Catapult / Plumbata / Catapult
points
The Pilum is the typical legionary weapon together
with the short sword Gladius. It was designed to bend upon impact to make
it unusable for the opponent. Some pila have a spherical lump of lead on
the shaft thought to enhance its penetration upon impact.
Munich Archeological Museum
Below example is a later type with a flat head similiar to an arrow.
Drawings of Pilum Parts, to the right from Oberaden
Drawings from Roman Military Equipment by Bishop &
Coulston, Edition 2, 2006 © M.C. Bishop
Lance / Spear / Catapult heads
Lance / Spear heads and catapult
projectiles used in roman times. Catapults as
the one shown below shot warheads at high speed over high distances. Light
spears were used to throw, while heavy lances were used to thrust by cavalry
soldiers.
Spears and butts from the first Century AD
Drawings from Roman Military Equipment by Bishop &
Coulston, Edition 2, 2006 © M.C. Bishop
Plumbata
The plumbata, with lead to increase the
impact, ca. 3rd century AD
more examples
Images from Hermann Historica Auction 154, 2008
Related Sections of the Roman Numismatic Gallery:
The Location of Roman Legions
from Caesar to ca. 300 AD is summarized in a table.
Military Equipment
Military Diplomas
Roman Legionary Bricks
Countermarks of roman legions on coins are shown in the Legionary
Countermark section.
Coins making reference to roman legions are to be found in the Legionary
Coin section.
Wars and Victories on Roman coins.
Roman Military Main Page