A ''spiculum'' is a late Roman spear
that replaced the ''
pilum
The ''pilum'' (; : ''pila'') was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about long overall, consisting of an iron shank about in diameter and long with a pyramidal head, attached to a wooden shaft by eith ...
'' as the infantryman's main throwing javelin around 250 AD. Scholars suppose that it could have resulted from the gradual combination of the ''pilum'' and two German spears, the ''
angon
The ''angon'' (Medieval Greek , Old High German ''ango'', Old English ''anga'' "hook, point, spike") is a type of javelin that was used during the Early Middle Ages by the Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Goths, and other Germanic peoples. It was similar ...
'' and the ''bebra''. As more and more Germans joined the Roman army, their culture and traditions became a driving force for change. The ''spiculum'' was better than the old ''pilum'' when used as a thrusting spear, but still maintained some of the former weapon's penetrative power when thrown.
Vegetius
Publius (or Flavius) Vegetius Renatus, known as Vegetius (), was a writer of the Later Roman Empire (late 4th century). Nothing is known of his life or station beyond what is contained in his two surviving works: ''Epitoma rei militaris'' (also r ...
mentions the ''spiculum'' in his military manual, but some scholars maintain that the ''spiculum'' was simply a different name for the ''pilum''. Whatever the case, most historians accept that the ''spiculum'' evolved from the earlier javelins used by the Roman army.
The main difference between the ''spiculum'' and the ''pilum'' was the length of the thin point. The ''spiculum'' tended to have a much shorter iron point. Thus, the ''spiculum'' was a bit shorter than its ancestor, perhaps long. The ''spiculum'' had a medium iron shank attached to the head. Its exact design is not fully known as there were many variants. The ''spiculum'' fell out of favour with the Roman army some time after 400 AD.
See also
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Roman military personal equipment
Roman military personal equipment was produced in large numbers to established patterns, and used in an established manner. These standard patterns and uses were called the ''res militaris'' or ''disciplina''. Its regular practice during the Roma ...
*
Polearm
A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly melee we ...
*
Javelin
A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon. Today, the javelin is predominantly used for sporting purposes such as the javelin throw. The javelin is nearly always thrown by hand, unlike the sling ...
*
''Lancea'' (weapon)
* ''
Pilum
The ''pilum'' (; : ''pila'') was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about long overall, consisting of an iron shank about in diameter and long with a pyramidal head, attached to a wooden shaft by eith ...
''
* ''
Verutum
The ''verutum'', plural ''veruta'' (), was a short javelin used in the Roman army. This javelin was used by the ''velites'' for skirmishing purposes, unlike the heavier ''pilum'', which was used by the ''hastati'' and ''principes'' for weakening ...
''
References
Ancient Roman legionary equipment
Ancient weapons
Javelins
Roman spears
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