Aklys
| Aklys | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Weapon type: | spear |
| Designations: | Aklys |
| Use: | military weapon |
| Creation time: | 4th century BC Chr. |
| Working time: | 4th century BC BC - 1st century BC Chr. |
| Region of origin / author: |
Oscar |
| Distribution: | Roman Empire |
| Overall length: | 180 cm |
| Material: | Wood, iron |
| Handle: | Wood, leather |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Aklys (Latin Aclys, Greek ἀγκϋλίς, ankylis) was an Italian spear that was used in ancient times in the Roman Empire .
Description and use
This spear was made of thin wood and had a small iron point. 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 middle of the pole was a protruding wooden stake to which the leather strap was attached. The Aklys resembled the hasta ansata , a spear that was also thrown with the amentum.
The Aklys was used by lightly armed skirmishers , also for stinging in possible hand-to-hand combat.
history
The Aklys originally came from the Osker people , a tribe in southern Italy. It came into the Roman army in the 3rd century BC. BC, just in time to be used in the Punic Wars . During this period this spear was also very effective against the powerful Carthaginian cavalry. The Aklys disappeared in the 1st century BC. From the battlefields.
literature
- Klaus Zimmermann: Rome and Carthage . Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 2005, ISBN 3-534-15496-7 .