pilum
1
9.9
A heavy spear that Roman soldiers threw in battle
- noun
- /ˈpɪləm/
- Archaic
:
pilum
- In ancient Rome, the pilum was an essential weapon for heavy infantry units.
Examples
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Use the pilum.
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Swords, daggers and pila were also standard fare.
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Roman soldiers were trained to throw the pilum effectively in battle.
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The pilum was designed to penetrate enemy shields and armor.
Synonyms
javelin
vspilum
5
4.8
A light spear thrown for sport or used long ago as a weapon
is a heavy Roman military throwing spear used in battle
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word pilum comes from Latin and was the name for the Roman 'javelin', a heavy throwing spear used by soldiers. Imagine a soldier throwing a pilum so it stuck in a shield or bent when it hit, so the enemy could not pick it up and throw it back, which explains why it was a heavy, often one-use, throwing weapon.