What Was the Weirdest Throwing Weapon in History?
Throughout history, humans have devised countless throwing weapons, ranging from spears and javelins to boomerangs and bolas. However, one of the strangest and least practical of these was the Roman "malleolus."
The malleolus was a heavy, lead-filled projectile attached to a short wooden handle. It was typically used as a close-range weapon, thrown at enemy soldiers in the heat of melee combat. However, due to its awkward shape and lack of momentum, the malleolus was notoriously inaccurate and difficult to control.
According to the Roman historian Livy, the malleolus was first used during the Third Punic War (149-146 BCE). It quickly became a weapon of last resort, employed when other options had failed or were unavailable. Roman legionaries would often carry a few malleoli in their baggage for use in desperate situations.
Despite its shortcomings, the malleolus remained a part of the Roman arsenal for several centuries. Its very existence serves as a testament to the boundless creativity and ingenuity of our ancestors.
Related Questions and Answers
- What was the primary material used in the malleolus? Lead
- When was the malleolus first used in combat? During the Third Punic War
- Why was the malleolus considered a strange weapon? Due to its awkward shape and lack of accuracy
- Was the malleolus a common weapon in Roman warfare? No, it was a weapon of last resort
- What other throwing weapons were used by the Romans? Spears, javelins, and pila
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