The pilum (Latin: [ˈpiːɫʊ̃]; pl.: pila) was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long overall, consisting of an iron shank about 7 mm (0.28 in) in diameter and 600 mm (24 in) long with a pyramidal head, attached to a wooden shaft by either a socket or a flat tang .

Apr 2, 2025 · The pilum (plural: pila) was a heavy Roman spear used by the Roman army from the 3rd century BC until the 3rd century AD. It was approximately seven feet in length, with a wooden shaft and an iron tip that had a sharp, hardened point at the end.

Nov 24, 2023 · First, we’re going to take a brief look at what we can know about the period where the Roman tactical system we see in the Middle and Late Republic emerges (and the pilum, it seems, with it). Then we’ll discuss the pilum as a weapon, before moving to the implications that weapon has for tactics.

When Swords wouldn't do, Roman soldiers relied on the pilum, which was a long spear, or javelin. There were two types: think and thin. The thin one had a long iron head, that fit to the long handle by way of a socket. The thin pilum was about 2 m long, with a barbed point.

The pilum (plural pila) is one of the weapons most typical for the Roman army. Everyone can have spears and javelins, but only the Romans had javelins that would bend on purpose. A pilum consisted of an iron shank about 60 cm in length that ended in a pyramidal head.

Oct 27, 2023 · The Roman pilum, a heavy javelin, was a prominent weapon of ancient Roman legions originating in Celtic culture around the 4th-3rd centuries BC. Characterised by its pyramidal head, the pilum evolved over centuries, altering in size, weight, and design, until it was superseded by other weapons around the 8th century AD.

Pilum means “javelin”, in the plural pila. It was a legionary javelin used to throw at a distance before the fight. The weapon, most likely of Etruscan or Samnite origin, was refined and introduced into the regular Roman army.

Nov 5, 2019 · A Pilum (plural pila) was a javelin thrown by Roman Legionnaires to disrupt an enemy line moments before closing for hand-to-hand contact. The pilum was about 6 or 6 1/2 feet long, weighing between 2 and 5 pounds (heavier early in Roman era, lighter later).

A pila (plural: pilae) is an ancient Roman throwing spear that was a crucial part of a Roman legionary's arsenal. The pila played a significant role in the military tactics of the Roman legions, making it one of the most iconic weapons of ancient warfare.

The Roman pilum, a key element of Roman military equipment, has historically sparked debate about its origins and the timeframe of its adoption.