Quote Originally Posted by conon394
O'ETAIPOS

If the Scutum was so vulnerable to arrows, why was the improved testudo formation used by Rome after Crassus’ defeat in later campaigns against the Parthians effective?

More importantly can you describe this demonstration more completely? At what range was the shield shot, under what conditions. What was the shield’s composition?
Maybe because they had more archers to protect the testudo? I dont know.
This is a short range arrow - head is big and heavy. If I found notes I made that time I will provide some more details. From what I remember - 20-30 metres (enough for HA to shoot and run away), shield was 3-4 layers, 1.2 cm thick (but i may be totaly wrong, as it was over a year ago)

Quote Originally Posted by Wigferth Ironwall
Do you think they had Scythian weapons? Also, how hard were the arrow heads to make? Would you use them on massed infantry.
Those arrows are from 400 BC do you think steppe people decrease in theyre war abilities?
This head is useles for other use than shield crushing, if facing not massed inf, you could run around them and shot from unprotected side.