Legionary's throwing weapon
A pilum is a javelin used by Roman legionaries, designed with a long iron shank that bent on impact to prevent enemies from throwing it back.
The weapon was typically hurled just before close combat: Each soldier carried two pila into battle.
Plural: pila.
IDEA.org / Words / pilum
Legionary's throwing weapon
A pilum is a javelin used by Roman legionaries, designed with a long iron shank that bent on impact to prevent enemies from throwing it back.
The weapon was typically hurled just before close combat: Each soldier carried two pila into battle.
Plural: pila.
1. pole weapons — spear, Pole with sharp point; javelin (Throwing spear for sport); lance (Long thrusting weapon); pike (Long battlefield spear); halberd · poleaxe · glaive · partisan · bill · trident · harpoon · staff · hasta · dory
ROMAN WEAPON TYPEpilum ≠ gladius Roman infantry blade; scutum · spatha
COMBAT RANGEpilum ≠ sword Hilted fighting blade; gladius · dagger · club · mace · axe
DEFENSIVE VS. OFFENSIVE EQUIPMENTpilum ≠ scutum Roman infantry shield; shield · armor · helmet · greaves
piled up (Accumulated in quantity); pile up (Accumulate in quantity); piling up (Increasing in quantity); pile on (Add excessively to); piled on (Added in excess); pile in (Enter as a group)
pile, piled, piling, pilaster, unpiled, piler
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/pilum