A massive head of a pilum javelin with square-section body tapering towards the sharp point; round tapering socket with fastening hole near the opening. 28 3/8 in. (618 grams, 72 cm long). Fine condition. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Ex California, USA, collection formed since the late 1960s.
European art market before the late 1990s.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Deschler-Erb, E., Ad Arma! Römische Militär des 1st Jahrhundert n.Chr. in Augusta Raurica, August, 1999, no.48.

FOOTNOTES:
The last types of pilum were employed in the 3rd century A.D., with the weapon maintaining its main characteristics, able to pierce horses, shields and armoured cavalrymen ( Vegetius, De re militari, II, 12-15). In particular, socketted specimens, like this one, showed an archaeological evolution from the types of the Early Imperial Age, usually tanged, although a specimen from Augusta Raurica confirms that socketted types were already in use in the 1st century A.D.