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 penetrate the shield
as
well as the soldier holding it, and to bend upon impact to make it
unusable
for another opponent.
Image from Hermann Historica Auction 158,
2009
3 Pila from the Axel Guttmann Collection, below ca. 110 cm long, middle
ca. 80 cm long
Drawings of Pilum Parts, to the right from Oberaden
Drawings from Roman Military Equipment by
Bishop &
Coulston, Edition 2, 2006 © M.C. Bishop
Some pila have a spherical lump of lead on the shaft thought to enhance its penetration upon impact (no image).
Example of a later Roman Pilum, Munich Archeological Museum
another example
Below example is an even later type with a flat head similiar
to an
arrow.
Lance / Spear / Catapult heads
Lance / Spearheads
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