Quote Originally Posted by ARCHIPPOS View Post

...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...
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.