Do you ever wonder about completely esoteric stuff?:

[Padraig18]

I'm currently reading a book about the Roman Republic, and I read a description of the Roman pilum, or spear; at some point, it changed from being an iron 'killing end' firmly affixed to a wooden 'throwing end' to an iron killing end affixed to a wooden throwing end by means of a weak pin which shattered upon impact. Who thought of that? Some ranker who got tired of having his own spear chucked back at him by the enemy? Some general? A Roman or Greek doctor who had to treat the wounds? Someone's wife/widow or mistress?

Yeah, yeah, I know I've got too much time on my hands this semester.

:P

[Padraig18]

1. Kick

[DS1]

2. Yeah, now and then

:donut:

[Padraig18]

3. That's a relief.

:)

[RogueTrooper]

4. Does the pin shattering upon impact

make the pilum a more effective weapon?

[Padraig18]

5. Good question.

I would assume, at minimum, that it didn't render it any less effective, since they kept the design change.

:)

[RogueTrooper]

6. Aye, that would be a bit daft

I like your explanation that it would make it less likely to be thrown back by the intended victim.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Absolutely I do!

That's where my mind is most of the time.

Like my thread from a while ago musing that if Bon Jovi became a mafia leader and then a college leader and a Catholic bishop in the vaitcan would he be Don Dean Don Jon Bon Jovi?