Free Belisarius: The Last Roman General by Ian Hughes Page A

strength of only 1,200 men, each man would have been known to his comrades, at least by sight.
     
    Weapons
     
    In the employment of weapons, it is likely that the choice would not necessarily have been left to the individual; it is probable that the main offensive/defensive weapon would have been provided by the state – although the cost would then have been deducted from the soldier’s pay. In this way, uniformity of weapons within a unit would help to define the unit’s main function and also eliminate the confusion that could arise from personal choice. Yet it must be remembered that the specific size or weight of, for example, a sword is a personal factor and may have resulted in such weapons continuing to be left up to the choice of the individual.
     

     
    Spears and javelins
     
    The main weapon for the infantry was the spear or javelin. Although usually seen as being used for different purposes, with the spear being retained in the hand and the javelin used as a missile weapon, there is actually little difference between the two apart from size. It is obvious that the heavier weight of the spear made it harder to throw, whilst the lightness of the javelin makes it less robust as a close combat weapon. Therefore, specialist units who were either designated as shock troops intended only for close combat, or skirmishers intended only for missile action, may have been given weapons of specific size and weight. However, for the majority of troops it is likely that the weapon supplied was of an intermediary size and so could be used for either purpose.
     
    Spicula and angones
     
    The classic pilum of the earlier empire had now fallen out of use. Its replacements were the spiculum (plural: spicula) and the angon (plural: angones). Both of these fulfilled the same function as the earlier pilum, but their design omitted the thin metal shaft that extended behind the iron head of the pilum, which may have been perceived as a weakness when facing cavalry. They were also easier, faster and cheaper to manufacture than the pilum.
     
    It is likely that both the spiculum and angon were still expensive to make when compared to a normal spear, so it is unlikely that they would have been made for universal distribution. Therefore, only the wealthiest of the foot troops may have bought one of these, despite their superiority in most circumstances to other spears and javelins. It is more likely that a minority of specialist units would have been equipped with these weapons by the state.
     
    Plumbatae
     
    Also known as mattiobarbuli, plumbatae were a form of dart. In theory there were two types. The plumbata mamillata was the standard form, consisting of a shaft, a head and a large lead weight in the centre to aid penetration. The plumbata et tribulata had three spikes radiating from the lead weight. This meant that any darts which missed their targets and landed on the ground could instead act as caltrops, with the spikes hindering enemy movement – especially of cavalry. Unfortunately, although there are many examples of the plumbata mamillata in the archaeological record, there are as yet no finds of the plumbata et tnbulata. Since the weapon is only attested in De Rebus Bellicis, written by an anonymous author in the third century, the possibility remains that it did not actually exist except in the imagination of the author.
     
    Close-order infantrymen, and cavalry, could carry several of these weapons. They would be used immediately prior to contact, and modern reconstructions attest to their efficiency, especially at close range.
     

     
    Lances
     
    Used two-handed and underarm, the lance has often been seen as coming into its own only after the invention of the stirrup. Yet, as a note of caution to those who still maintain that the momentum of striking an enemy would dismount the rider unless stirrups are worn, Heliodorus and Plutarch describe the ability of such weapons to impale two opponents simultaneously.