Aklys

The Aklys (Latin Aclys, Greek ἀγκϋλίς, ankylis ) was an Italic spear that was used in ancient times in Roman Empire.

Description and Use

This spear was provided from thin wood and an iron, small tip. It was used for throwing and therefore had to be very light. He was thrown with a leather strap, the so-called amentum. In the center of the bar was a prominent wooden peg on which the leather strap was fastened. The Aklys resembled the ansata hasta, a spear, which was also thrown to the amentum.

Was used the Aklys of lightly armed skirmishers, at any melees also the jump-off.

History

The Aklys originally came from the people of the Osker, a tribe in southern Italy. In the Roman army came in the 3rd century BC, just in time to be used in the Punic Wars. During this time, this spear was also very effective against the powerful Carthaginian cavalry. The Aklys disappeared in the 1st century BC by the battlefields.