Roman Weapons

Lance / Spear / Pilum / Catapult points

The Pilum  is the typical legionary weapon together with the short sword Gladius. It was designed to bend upon impact to make it unusable for the opponent. Some pila have a spherical lump of lead on the shaft thought to enhance its penetration upon impact.

Munich Archeological Museum

Below example is atypical with a flat head similiar to an arrow.

Drawings of Pilum Parts, to the right from Oberaden

Drawings from Roman Military Equipment by Bishop & Coulston, Edition 2, 2006 © M.C. Bishop
 

Lance / Spear heads and catapult projectiles used in roman times. Catapults as the one shown below shot warheads at high speed over high distances. Light spears were used to throw, while heavy lances were used to thrust by cavalry soldiers.

Spears and butts from the first Century AD

Drawings from Roman Military Equipment by Bishop & Coulston, Edition 2, 2006 © M.C. Bishop
 

A plumbata, with lead to increase the impact, ca. 3rd century AD

 
 

Related Sections of the Roman Numismatic Gallery:

The  Location of Roman Legions from Caesar to ca. 300 AD is summarized in a table.
Military Equipment
Military Diplomas
Roman Legionary Bricks
Countermarks of roman legions on coins are shown in the Legionary Countermark section.
Coins making reference to roman legions are to be found in the Legionary Coin section.
Wars and Victories on Roman coins.
Roman Military Main Page