Kestrosphendon
As Kestrosphendone even Cestrus , Cestrosphendone or Kestros , refers to a Greek and later by the Romans acquired spin , the arrows shot down.
etymology
The original Greek word for this weapon was Kestrosphendon, or simply Kestros . This word was made up of kestros (Greek κέστρος = arrow) and sphendon (= sling). The Romans later called this weapon Latinized Cestrosphendone , or simply Cestrus .
description
This slingshot consisted of two leather straps about 30 cm long , between which a 25 cm long wooden arrow with an iron tip was clamped. You twirled the leather straps with your arm raised to increase the momentum, then released one strap, which flung the arrow away. Warriors who were equipped with such a slingshot were called kestrophendones .
history
The kestros was originally a Greek weapon and was later used by Macedonian warriors. Especially in the third Macedonian-Roman war it was used against the Roman legionaries. From the middle of the 2nd century BC This arrow sling came to the Roman Legion via auxiliary troops , where it was used until the birth of Christ. Titus Livius still describes this weapon, after which there is no more historical evidence of the use of the kestros.
Web links
literature
- Peter Connolly : The Roman Army. Neuer Tessloff-Verlag, Nuremberg 1989, ISBN 3-7886-0180-9 .
- Peter Connolly: The Greek Armies. Tessloff, Hamburg 1977, ISBN 3-7886-0181-7 .