How effective was the Pilum?

Hi,

I actually own a replica roman Pilum built as those you see in the game of the 1st Century BC type.

I find the Pilum to be a well balanced and very easy item to throw.

Its initial design based on using it I think was to disarm sheilds, the tip would stick into the shield and the bulky part would weigh the sheild down making it difficult for the opponent to hold thus allowing the Roman to get in with his sword and shield.

Obviously he may have scored lucky and got someone with it but initially I believe the Pilum was for disarming rather than piercing.

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Originally Posted by ARCHIPPOS

All in all the pilum offered Romans volatility and the ability of counter-skirmishing should the need arise ...

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Yes, but not only a counter-skirmishing weapon, but added defence against cavalry and a great weapon to devastate and disturb the enemy formation prior to charge, thus serving several purposes for both offence and defence, and being mass-producable and relatively easy to train for a body of men to utilize, it's easy to see why they were such an integral part of Roman warfare.

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Originally Posted by ARCHIPPOS

so we see what a terrible threat javelins were to heavy infrantry...i suppose the idea of the Roman heavy infantry carrying some extra pila was precisely as a counter measure to the possibility of facing skirmisher opponents-that way the legionairies would at least stand a fighting chance instead of get decimated by distance...

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I don't think the pila was suited for that, as it was heavier than the average javelin. This means that enemy skirmishers could simply stay out of range. Nor would they be that dangerous even if the lights did get close: being heavy and slow the pila are easy to dodge, provided you are not in close formation like, for example, the legionaries would be. In conclusion: the pila seems to be specifically intended against shielded and heavily-armoured infantry in close formation, not a deterrent against light infantry.

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Originally Posted by Ludens

being heavy and slow the pila are easy to dodge, provided you are not in close formation like, for example, the legionaries would be. In conclusion: the pila seems to be specifically intended against shielded and heavily-armoured infantry in close formation, not a deterrent against light infantry.

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hmmmmmmm,i stand corrected then... :bow:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ARCHIPPOS

...so we see what a terrible threat javelins were to heavy infrantry...i suppose the idea of the Roman heavy infantry carrying some extra pila was precisely as a counter measure to the possibility of facing skirmisher opponents-that way the legionairies would at least stand a fighting chance instead of get decimated by distance... also remember that Romans must have had quite a lot of experience of such guerilla tactics subjugating the Etruscans and Italians ...figting on rough terrain against hardy mountain people who refuse to stand and fight the pilum must have proved quite a life saver ...
All in all the pilum offered Romans volatility and the ability of counter-skirmishing should the need arise ... the prospect of showering your heavy infantry opponent with some javelins before impact was just an extra treat...

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Archippos quote of Xenophon is great. I should add this also explains why the Polybian Legion included such a large contingent of Velites, and, also helps explain why the Romans used such a large Scutum.

It depends on the javelin types. The low end side of the spectrum constituated a stick with a single stone/flint/fire hardened tip. Those would have sucked vs armor but rocked vs unarmored units due to cheapness and such. Then there is the midrange of heavier types meant to go though some armor or designed to be thrown farther, go faster, etc. Then, lastly there are the specialty javelins liked the barb tipped ones or hooked ones meant to lodge in skin or things like pilum there were used against packed infantry to disable shields or lead darts.