Plumbata
The Plumbata ( Plumbatae ) or Mattiobarboli was an easy, short spear that was used in ancient times, in the Roman Legion.
Description and Use
The name of this weapon is betrayed into the late antique military manual Epitoma Rei Militaris Vegetius Renatus of. The unknown author of the book ' De Rebus bellicis " provides even, but made-to- medieval ideas - illustration. The Plumbata type 1 resembled a large dart and consisted of a wooden shaft on which a triangular iron point was fixed with barbs. Type 2 had a four -edged bolt-like, type 3 and type 4, a lenticular three -leaf tip ( classification according to Theodor Völling ). In the middle of the spear a heavy lead weight was attached, which should increase the impact and stabilize the flight path. At the back end of the spear three to four wooden or leather wings were attached to the flight path stabilization.
Similar to the Verutum the Plumbata of lightly armed javelin was used. These small spears were per man well on the belt or five in the shield getragenund so many of which have to be taken to the battlefield. As a weapon, it served primarily the Ferentarii. Against the rider Plumbata was a particularly effective weapon, as their horses offered a large attack surface.
History
Early variations of the Plumbata were around 500 already in use in the armies of the Greek city-states BC. In the Roman legion they came through the Punic Wars. In late antiquity, they won because of the increased number of enemies riders increasingly important. It was also used during the migrations of Germanic tribes and held in variations to the Middle Ages. Especially in the Eastern Roman Empire, which was later called the Byzantine Empire, the Plumbata was used until the Late Middle Ages.
Finds of Plumbatae there are both in the Balkans as well as in today's Germany in holders from the 3rd century AD The metal tip in this Fund is 11.8 cm long .. A total of 70 specimens are known. About half of them belongs to the type 1.