The Roman Pilum Was Unmatched as a Ranged Weapon

The pilum, a vital weapon in Rome’s imperial ambitions, was a simple iron spear fixed with two bolts onto a heavy wooden post. It was remarkably effective against an attacker charging at high speed.
From the Series: World of Weapons: Ranged Weapons bitly.com/2TnPkgb

[@billbright1755]

Everybody’s got a plan till somebody throws a pilum at their chest armor.

[@terrancemaginnis8735]

Bill Bright learn to zig zag.

[@neddevine7692]

@@terrancemaginnis8735 after you've learnt to ghost through your buddies

[@elijones7926]

Terrance Maginnis i read this as "learn to zug zug"-orc peon from original warcraft.

[@sabir2008]

@@terrancemaginnis8735 Easier said than done when the whole legion throws their pila at once

[@terrancemaginnis8735]

Sabir Badri That’s when somersaults come in handy.

[@xClownpiece]

“I can’t pull it out, so i just have to abandon it.” best relationship advice i’ve ever heard.

[@earthman4222]

Um, I am not going to abandon my little buddy no matter what.

[@giantlobsterboy644]

I am not sure if that's what he or she said...?

[@vincentprime740]

@@earthman4222 no, abandon the other thing ;)

[@ghexhsdhujvcfbsdhucvrej5452]

Best father-daughter relationship advice thanks

[@berghesein]

You got the glue down there?

[@SBTRIS]

Humans are so crafty when it comes to killing each other

[@ogrehaslayers605]

SBTRIS it’s why aliens haven’t tried to get us yet. We might find a really nifty way to take ‘em out. Go space Orks!

[@benetasuku6155]

Every successive civilization kills better than the one before it.

[@AusyG]

Basically all of human existence our weapons can be described as throwing rocks, hit him with the stick and stab him with the pointy stick

[@Squee7e]

@@AusyG And then came the explosives...

[@JoelLTurner]

If we would only expend as much effort in helping each other as we do killing each other...how far ahead would we be ?

[@squange]

The this soft iron shaft was also an innovation. It was intentionally made to bend easily, which rendered the pilum useless by an enemy that could retrieve one from a shield or fallen comrade. And after the battle, the spent pila could be gathered up and easily repaired by removing the bent shaft via the innovative pin system and replacing it with a new one. The old ones could then be reforged into new pila heads. Roman industrialization of warfare was one of the main forces driving their conquest of the explored world.

[@ranjan_v]

Wow, thanks for sharing

[@bubson2981]

Thanks squange

[@mystfawn8774]

This is the bit they missed and i felt was important!

[@jakubcidlik]

Roman recycling was better than 21st century one.

[@nospam3327]

Good point. "Explored world" is an interesting euphemism for ethnocentric western imperialism though.

[@brcarter1111]

In Caesar's book, he described that the Barbarian legions would overlap their shields in a defensive line, and his legions would throw their pilums at the site of overlap, pinning the shields together and forcing their enemies to drop them.

[@ThePamastymui]

Greek defence formation? It would be a shame...

[@harleyfagan9637]

Big brain plays

[@hia5235]

@@ThePamastymui Hes describing the Shield Wall used by the Germans and Gauls for thousands of years.

[@GarenStan]

@@ThePamastymui the Greeks had bronze shields. I doubt this technique would have worked against them

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

@@GarenStan A thin veneer of bronze over linen or wood sufficient against sword strokes and spear jabs would hardly stop a pilum. Can you imagine a full bronze shield and what it would weigh? The Romans defeated the Greeks handily.

[@teutonalex]

Multiply this by thousands of legionnaires. Disrupt a charge, neutralize shields, cause casualties and obstacles for the following ranks of attackers. Then move in with the disciplines shield wall and the buzzsaw of the gladius. No wonder this worked well on tribal fighting units.

[@ColdHawk]

teutonalex - Ah, a Roman Legion fanboy I see!

[@Squee7e]

@@ColdHawk Is he really? I don't see him leaving the matter of an objective statement. Anyways it was quite effective like you can see.

[@HighWarlordJC]

@Rob M Advances in military weaponry and strategy have always led to great conquests and empires. Thutmose III's Egypt, Alexander's Greece, Caesar's Rome, Napoleon's France, Peter's Russia, and Hitler's Germany; (edit) and Truman's atom bomb.

[@lionelhutz5137]

Don't forget the flaming onagers

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@ColdHawk Celtic cope

[@patrickstewart3446]

When you consider the many of Rome’s enemies had only a shield for armor, yes, it is very effective. Arrows get stuck on the shield, but it’s still usable. The pilum effective renders the man defenseless.

[@jerrybroderick2858]

Many did have armor, but most armor was focused on being added protection behind the shield, similar to all throughout history, so a man without a shield was a dead man, armor or no. Your point still stands though, most of the threats they faced had basically no armor.

[@Monotony619]

But surely Rome’s enemies not having armour, isn’t Rome’s fault. I suppose having pride and not wearing armour is cool and all until your guts spill out infront of you in some field where no one will remember your name (I’ve been playing a lot of total war:Rome 2, so forgive me if I hold a grudge)

[@pavel9652]

What a great presentation. I am glad I have found this video. The pilum was a simple yet effective weapon!

[@linming5610]

@@jerrybroderick2858 rome's enemies do have armors... that's why they kept losing to the parthians and later to the sassanids. Their pilums got discarded replaced by plumbata.

[@blairmarshall544]

Well done you basically just said what he said

[@OutnBacker]

Typical range for the first volley was just 20 meters, with the second thrown immediately - possibly at point blank range of under 7 meters (20ft). The first volley would have struck randomly and caused an immediate slowing of the enemy charge as men would be trying to get around those whose shields were tent staked or other wise being tossed down, causing a tripping situation. Those rushing forward from behind would be jammed against others ahead. Then the second volley would begin landing among the tightened mass, causing lots of casualties and further breaking the momentum of the charge. With the enemy charge hopefully blunted, the Romans would draw swords from spitting distance and move forward, possibly at a walk because we have very few records of EXACTLY what a Roman charge looked like. My study tells me that the centurions would have been able to call out what kind of terminal advance was to be exercised. Roman centurions were flexible and able men, like todays NCO's. If the enemy was within 10feet, no charge might be indicated - just a quick few steps in good order, and then contact. Other situations where the Romans were the attacker, might call for a quick run up to pilum range, volleys, then a quick walk to contact. Running into terminal contact was something it seems the Romans avoided. It would have caused deviations in the formations which was the MAIN METHOD of victory the Romans possessed. It wasn't manpower. Typically the Romans were out numbered considerably. It was disciplined ranks and reliance upon the guy next to you that won battles. ONce they were in contact with a hopefully confused and struggling enemy, the gladius was the perfect sword for the job. There would have been no room to swing a longer sword or ax. Jabbing and stabbing with a short, thick weapon was a well thought out and proven tactic.

[@littlemouse7066]

this is a good analysis of how the Romans did fight.

[@osmoze47300]

thx for sharing man

[@chosone2]

Makes you wonder why the Romans switched from a short stabbing Gladius to the longer slashing Spatha in their later military reforms

[@OutnBacker]

@Andrew they have been written already. What we know about the Roman way if war is somewhat sketchy, but deductive reasoning, educated analysis, and common sense can fairly accurately fill the gaps. The details I've described are learned from riot control methods experienced in South Korea in the 1980,s. They made a science of it and included extensive research into the Tactics used by ancient armies, with the Romans being found the best. In those riots, objects were thrown at police and mass charges against a sheild wall were the norm. The police used jabbing movements with batons, whereas the wild, undisciplined students used sign stakes as longer bashing weapons, similar to the difference between the gladius and the longer Gallic swords. People haven't changed much in hand to hand conflict, so the Koreans replicated, by deductive reasoning, the tactics of tight cohesion and strict discipline. The results are far less injury to police and demonstrators. The Koreans taught these Roman methods to riot police all over the world

[@sty0pa]

@@chosone2 The infantry spatha was basically a slightly longer gladius, just gave them more reach without any real loss of effect - it still wasn't a slashing weapon. The cavalry spatha (from which it was descended) was still mostly a slasher, for obvious reasons.

[@FitraHomestead]

This will get nerfed during the next patch.

[@aaroncook5928]

How long do the devs leave an OP weapon like this in? These sandbox testing and beta testers are blind.

[@SeeFoodDie]

Quality QA testing are hard to come by

[@niccatipay]

Updated localization files.

[@Summernightsandneonlights]

@@niccatipay whats that ?

[@connerschupp4543]

bannerlord fans wish

[@Richie_Godsil]

The only thing that stops a bad guy with a shield is a good guy with a pilum!

[@leonardoflorentin]

It's in the cesarean second amendment, I tell you what.

[@justsomeguy1671]

As if the romans were good

[@tasnimulsarwar9189]

@@justsomeguy1671 yes, they were.

[@justsomeguy1671]

@@tasnimulsarwar9189 so conquesting small villages and starting wars is good to you?

[@aurelien5747]

@@justsomeguy1671 yes because Gaule (France back then) was a small village

[@mistgawel]

1:53 the words every Man fears.

[@F15ElectricEagle]

and some women too.

[@revimfadli4666]

@@F15ElectricEagle so most women likes it?

[@darthknightwingphoenix2081]

mistgawel 😂

[@styns491]

This genuinely made me laugh, thank you

[@alikayseri2270]

You made me laugh. Thank you.

[@goodsolonius7305]

“Unlike Saxons or Danes, the Romans were clever” -Brother Pyrlig

[@GriffyWdaGrippy]

I’m currently watching this show.

[@pesii1452]

@@GriffyWdaGrippy what show?

[@raymondjames1341]

@Gaius Julius Caesar. It's a series called the last kingdom based on the books by bernard cornwell. In a nutshell it's about the Saxon defense and then counter attack of the Danes heathen army.

[@adamgross1157]

@@pesii1452 fantastic show, highly recommended

[@Krossiant]

When your lead character has more dead wives than seasons >>>

[@diegoveloso3rd]

To add: The point of the pilum was case hardened steel. The rest of the metal bar was intentionally left untreated. Because if the thrown pilum gets bent by an enemy pulling it out of a shield (1:51); the said enemy cant throw it back. Ingenious if you ask me

[@RoskinGreenrake]

Heh but then they can't re-use the pilums themselves if they were to advance gaining the ground where they were lying

[@diegoveloso3rd]

@@RoskinGreenrake Each roman also had 3 pila to throw. Once all 3 had been thrown, they would switch to their gladius.

[@sunofpeter2]

the also started putting a wooden peg to replace the weakened steel. the weapon was then repairable by the Romans

[@duncanrobertson6472]

Most scholars have actually moved away from this idea as it doesn’t have much evidence behind it. The primary use of the pilum was to do as much damage as possible. The design of the head already made it difficult to remove from a shield, and intentionally weakening the construction would reduce its armor and shield piercing capability.

[@RoskinGreenrake]

@@diegoveloso3rd Then having three to throw they could get their opponents with another one if they try to reach around their own shield to chop the wooden part of it off so as to keep being able to use it. heh

[@wecomeinpeace5082]

This would be the most annoying weapon to ever go against

[@IronMaidenDoD]

Gonna need something other than a wooden shield to defend yourself.

[@jakeb3157]

A lot of armies at this time had javelins of some sort so I'm sure quite a few people did

[@notjohndoe6878]

If your the frontline your basically dead

[@funnyfacemegee7271]

Needs a nerf tbh

[@therockmanxx]

Report Enemy Team Abuse Glitch

[@duncanohio]

“Unmatched ranged weapon” until some steppe boy on a horse with a bow shows up.

[@hshocker98]

Probably during that time the Romans misplaced their pilums somewhere else.

[@LordVader1094]

Even Mongol horse archers weren't as deadly as this. They exhausted enemies, they didn't do most of the killing. That part was left to the Mongol heavy cavalry with lances.

[@duncanohio]

@@LordVader1094 yeah, but you cant throw a pilum at a charging enemy if they never charge you unless you are exhausted or routed.

[@berzerkerslair1577]

A bow can't pass a shield

[@Jafmanz]

@@berzerkerslair1577 oh really...

[@MrJaffaCakie]

The guy who does the narration for this also voices caesar in fallout:NV

[@hennerzz3460]

very cool :)

[@codyvandal2860]

thats amazing he sounds nothing like him

[@estevanpena2188]

Yoooo he does low key!!

[@travisbeck8184]

Nah bro it’s John Doman Damon to Doman

[@CatnamedMittens]

You can tell

[@joeperry298]

Germanic tribes *Charge at the Roman lines* The Roman Legionaries: Y E E T

[@dzonbrodi514]

Yeetus maximus!

[@eleethtahgra7182]

Thus...they didnt charge later on. They ambush.

[@rustomkanishka]

@@eleethtahgra7182 are we talking about the same thing? Quintillius Varre, Legionis Redde?

[@allenrosales9738]

@@rustomkanishkawhen the trees start speaking Germanic:

[@TheOfficialSilhouette]

When segestes snitches

[@eljanrimsa5843]

"Karsten is the barbarian." - It's always the Germans.

[@jayk4828]

On March 12, in the year of our lord, 2020, at 12:00 am (local time). I will have it be known, That *I* , SON OF MY FATHER, was this comments 69th like.

[@Shitbird3249]

Limp praise be to thee

[@christov4202]

Love his smirk too

[@revolvency]

@@christov4202 "heh, you got me old man"

[@owdeezstrauz1268]

or so the germans would have us believe 🤔

[@RoyalZarak]

It was extremely effective against Boudica’s army. It was decimated by rows and rows of Pilums flying at the charging Britons mostly with no armor or helmets. 15,000 Romans Soldiers annihilating 80,000 men in one battle

[@MajesticSkywhale]

Obliterated not decimated

[@Varlwyll]

Epic

[@Rucka_Inc.]

It's in bad taste to use the word "decimate/d" incorrectly when you are discussing Roman history.

[@abuhajaar2533]

Those numbers are highly disputed. Romans are known for counting the civilians too for propaganda reasons

[@MrSporkster]

It was remarkably effective against an attacker charging at high speed.

[@Dakurar]

The Romans had a long history of learning from their defeats and coming back with the enemies weapons and tactics refined.

[@riseALK]

Except in matters of cavalry. The Huns have come....

[@macobuzi]

Romans didn't invest much in the cavalry branch and usually relied on their ally and mercenary cavalry to fill the role.

[@modestemutanguha3414]

"I can't pull it out, so all I do is abandon" That was also my dad's excuse

[@deduzz]

Cool story bro

[@Stanzi18]

@@deduzz you the dad?

[@kobegeens2720]

Nice one

[@zamlent2492]

Owo

[@razerbaz]

It was at that moment the saxons realised the MDF sheilds would be their downfall.

[@YodaAndCo]

Saxons came after the Roman empire but I like your comment 😉

[@Nathand0992]

Saxons are Romans

[@jacobmast6217]

@@Nathand0992 wrong

[@Nathand0992]

Jacob Mast its called 🧬

[@Nathand0992]

Jacob Mast 🧬🧬🧬🧬right 🧬🧬🧬🧬🧬🧬🧬

[@Apocriton_Civil]

This is the best video to understand how pilum works I've ever seen! Thank you.

[@nuperaa6617]

This is a paper shield

[@DEV3N87]

The real point of the pilum was that once it was thrown, it would be useless to use again.

[@MrRjizz]

@Harupert Beagleton whats your point exactly?

[@grisialucens8162]

@@MrRjizzI'll try to answer in their place, but what happens at that time is a poorly done editing going from a take where the pilum was barely stuck in the shield (most visible in the view from above at 00:58 - 00:59) to a take where it went all the way. Now in itself making several takes is normal, since mistakes can happen, and throwing a pilum the right way may not be the easiest thing to do (idk, never tried). However, not telling about it and doing this mediocre editing is at best veeeery suspicious and at worse just a blatant lie, depending how you see it

[@johneleasar9878]

0:23 I love to watch the passion of this man. His face as he talks, his eyes light up, his body is full of energy. This man is truly into his passion. And he gets up like a young boy, not an old man. Remarkable. I want to find such a passion in my life.

[@Daedricbob]

Accidentally read 'Roman Plum' and watched out of curiosity. Left educated.

[@pIacehoIders]

Roman plum was left unmatched as a ranged weapon

[@nachoman2713]

@@pIacehoIders the ultimate pommel to end it rightly

[@darthdredz]

Haha

[@rubino7]

And we are all very proud of you

[@markbegley1564]

lol

[@jasonz1771]

That dudes attempts to pull the pilum out looked like he was selling it on a bad infomercial.

[@darcuriousgeorge5457]

Exactly he could've easily pulled it out with some force

[@MaxUltimata]

@@darcuriousgeorge5457 It's not like pulling it out of pudding. It's solid wood meant to block all manners of weapon vs. a rod of metal (a flexible rod of metal, which is even worse), and that's in a peaceful environment. In the middle of a battle with hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers on each side, stopping to pull something out of your shield is just out of the question.

[@swahilimaster]

The issue is the weight of the weapon and the fact that you are completely open while you try to pull it out. You also need a free hand which means if you are holding a weapon you have a difficult decision to make, and likely only a few seconds to make it.

[@richardrobbin2225]

And if you order now we'll *throw* in another Pilum at no additional cost!!

[@Hieroglyph777]

@@MaxUltimata It was sawdust and glue, not wood.

[@pauldonvito6169]

Everyone gangsta until the pila fly

[@ehonda7831]

I see your Latin

[@FredLenz1]

Mike Loades is the ultimate medieval history geek, he actually jumped out of a running horse wearing full plate armor, just to prove that mobility wasn't an issue for that type of armor!

[@WS_00]

How did he get in the horse to start with?

[@rickymartin4457]

​@@WS_00 With his horse keys obviously, duh!

[@WS_00]

@@rickymartin4457 genius, why didn’t I think of that!

[@rickymartin4457]

@@WS_00 It happened a lot to me too in the past, I underestimated the complexity of medieval built horses for a long time.

[@WashingtonTuna]

Also once the Pilum penetrates the shield the Roman can step on the shaft and force the opponents shield down and open them for a strike.

[@MR-nl8xr]

It sounds as if Roman Soilders were really full of themselves to believe that as soon as their enemy dropped their shields it was a decisive victory.

[@marcusporciuscato6404]

@@MR-nl8xr It's just a statistical reality.

[@chrisreid5745]

Then I pull out a pistol and end them

[@victorqwilleran3331]

@Nick Martin This, this, this! Fighting in battle was nothing like dueling, between jabbing spears and whistling arrows, a shieldless warrior on the Frontline was as good as dead.

[@WashingtonTuna]

@Trebonius Flonius What is your source for claiming it is a myth for both stepping and bending?

[@constantinetricks]

"Unmatched ranged weapon" *Throws from 2 feet away*

[@jonathankowatch6947]

I practiced on my own with no training and hit targets that size 20+ meters away. Did it that close so they wouldn't miss and have to waste money on a reshoot.

[@georgewright3949]

I mean if you throwing it at a barbarian horde you dont exactly have to be accurate

[@НикитаИванов-п6щ3н]

Constantine Trian roman hastati would quickly throw one of their pilums, then another and then they would charge in, giving enemy no time to recover from shock and all those pilums that stuck in shields and armor. It is possibly that the second pilum was thrown from 2 feet away. It is not a skirmishing weapon, but a precursor one

[@edwardhumphries8806]

100s thrown then a second wave dis sheilding more or killing the first ,now form up sheilds tight stab with shirt sword what a machine

[@PowerMetalWizard]

@@kyleminks6374 Roman general Germanicus says hi........

[@catman351]

231 warriors of Boudica's tribe disliked this.

[@liljhomicidel69]

Weak bro 😂

[@riverbullshark]

Hunt them to the ends of the Earth and crucify them'

[@mr.k418]

Cyril Euscobar they were the only survivors.

[@jkjkhardcore666]

It's almost 400 now ,boudica tribes are preparing for another attack looks like we'll need to start making pilums.

[@kyleminks6374]

You do realize Boudicca was on purpose marching to her death right? They new they were going to die, they sacked three Roman cities before encountering the giant army in that field, it was a perfect advantage for the romans and they knew this and still attacked to deal as much damage to the romans and last I checked Rome fell apart after her

[@satters98]

The pilum, also known as the "yeet and delete"

[@WexMajor82]

In modern times, that's the Panzerfaust.

[@prot07ype87]

yelete

[@einsfuffzich]

1:08 Ah, the traditional barbarian pressboard shield

[@kignacio]

Seriously, if it was 10ply or something decent, they would have mentioned it.

[@jonothandoeser]

cowhide

[@sidviscous5959]

I didn't realize they had Masonite back then . . .

[@realitychampion8022]

Saw the same thing.. particle board.. a kids plastic arrow would go through sawdust and glue

[@WestOfEarth]

So what is it you're trying to say? The Romans didn't use the pilum?

[@iahmed]

That “barbarian” didn’t say a single word.

[@ivancolonna7520]

iahmed he could feel the pain of Alesia...

[@nameslastnames3332]

Absolute savage

[@funwithphobias]

"BAR BAR BAR BAR"

[@IndraSunrise]

He doesn't speak Latin.

[@cassanderrr]

funwithphobias Be funny if he actually said that .

[@MrPtrgun]

This guy always has THE best historical essays/shows (whatever you want to title them). His program "Going Medieval" is fantastic.

[@LisaG442]

The passion this man has for ancient fighting and weaponry is wonderful. I always enjoy watching his demonstrations

[@zerge69]

And that’s why I keep a pilum in my truck.

[@firmanimad]

Crafty. Never know when you're gonna get mugged by a Gaul warrior.

[@Hibernicus1968]

Hey, these are weapons of war! They have no place on our streets.

[@bucksfuttly1325]

@@Hibernicus1968 ban assault pilae.

[@Hibernicus1968]

@@bucksfuttly1325 And we need more pilum-free zones.

[@brianbullivant4753]

Sergio, my semi- auto handgun will trump the pointy stick in your truck.

[@andreasmerkel5717]

"My garden is smaller than your Rome, but my pilum is harder than your sternum...." (Asterix in Britain)

[@andreasmerkel5717]

@Rod 1984 Way more better than Trump....

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

Smithsonian: "The Roman pilum Was unmatched as a ranged weapon" Parthian Archers: "Hold my fermented horse milk"

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

@Александр oh, absolutely. But the Parthians make the best example because the Romans really struggled against them, specifically because of their horse-archer tactics. As you may know, the Romans were unmatched *when they could fight a battle on their own terms* and had the civil and logistical skills to make sure that was often the case. But the Parthians gave them trouble precisely because their warfare was designed to deny the Romans advantageous battle.

[@sugoi9680]

@@pavarottiaardvark3431 Did the Parthians ever gain another victory like Carrhae over Rome before they were taken over by the Sassanids?

[@akemisayaka8905]

No people also often overlook the victories the romans usually ended up thrashed upon their enemies in revenge later. Some general was smart of enough to use slingers and terrain and basically checked Parthia for a long time and they even got their city or capital I think sacked a few times. Same thing happened to the germanic tribes after the forest ambush, rome came back and laid a smacked down and recovered their standards and would eventually lead to their border along that area for the rest of its history.

[@joeessig3550]

PavarottiAardvark-I appreciate your insight on the parthians. Out of curiousity, what are your general ideological leanings? I detect some subtle anti-imperial subtext-sort of a plucky love of the clever Parthian underdogs, and you portray the romans as elitist bureaucrats who didn’t like tough fights. I know you must know this, but just to be tedious, it’s worth noting that avoiding battles that aren’t a “sure thing” is one of the most essential strategies for remaining an utterly badass military. As smart as the Parthian tactics were, the “bureaucratic” efficiencies must also be looked at as ingenious military tactics, instead of just the fruits of institutional inertia. Any distinctions between the two are mostly surface level.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

@@sugoi9680 Nothing so crushing. Most of the other wars ended in stalemates. It was just very hard for Rome to project power out that hard, not to mention having their own internal strife from time to time (which the Parthians then took sides in). Rome's big win came in AD162 (or 161, should check) when they sacked the Pathian capital - almost 200 years after Carrhae, with more fighting carrying on inconclusively until 217AD. (It's weird for us in the modern era to imagine a three century war). Eventually Parthia fell to the Sassanids, who would go onto have many splendid/bloody wars with Rome's own successor, Byzantium.

[@merzbank349]

Often the metal shaft was held on to the wooden shaft by two pins. One was iron and one was a wooden peg. When the pilum hit the shield the wooden pin would shear. The barbarian would have a six foot long pole hinged in the middle flopping around on his shield. The Roman soldiers could step on the wooden shaft, pulling the shield down. Another type of pilum just relied on the bending of the iron shaft for the same effect.

[@bungobox7454]

I never knew barbarians were so small in the olden days

[@wondertome2023]

Nah. Barbarians actually slithered very quickly towards their enemies.

[@Dav_Rock]

It's like Frodo Baggins chargin at you.

[@77gravity]

@Dank Farrik There were MANY types and sizes of shields, the one demonstrated is clearly not as big as the holder. Some were larger, some were smaller. Some were only the size of a dinner plate (often called a Targe or Buckler)

[@77gravity]

@Dank Farrik Not a good or funny joke then. You'll need to work on that.

[@InfamousMax]

That was when they tried to invade Ireland and had to fight the leprechauns first.

[@Rem1061]

The biggest thing about the pilum was it couldn't be reused against you. It bent when it hit. The one(s) they are using in this video are actually harder than the originals. They would strike and bend badly. Even if the enemy could pick them up from the battle field, they were usually bent just from hitting the ground. Not supplying your enemy with a weapon to throw back at you was an excellent idea.

[@TheMan-je5xq]

Man I love Mike Loades lol he’s so energetic and loves what he does

[@krybling]

pretty bad experiment, laughable even

[@dgfox474]

Mike was my stage fight instructor at Drama College in the late 80's. Consummate professional. Keep Rockin' Mike :-)

[@regalassad6845]

This is probably the best Pilum test I've ever seen. Really puts it into perspective.

[@chasebh89]

Love how you still used the footage from when it didn't go through the first time

[@ShaiYammanee]

chasebh89 - I think I’ll give him a pass. He’s no spring chicken and obviously didn’t spend a lifetime training to be a legionnaire.

[@krybling]

@@ShaiYammanee yea but imagine you do educational research test with two different result and just dont mention the result you didnt want. he should simply have done a gravity test for the laws of physics and not a stabbing test, also there is no other holes in the shield when he shows how it went all the way through and the shield is made out of cardbox wood, its so bad that not seeing the second throw other than a close up zoom makes you wonder how legit this is

[@Lestweforgot]

@@krybling Watch it again and realize the shield cart is being vigorously pulled, it was one take but the cart stopping suddenly caused the spear to slip out a bit.

[@xBrabus76]

Theres a 1st hole every1 saw!!

[@ShadowZero27]

"we developed this test where we throw this shield at this stationary spear"

[@NihilSineDeo09]

As long as relative speed is about the same, it makes no difference

[@V.D.22]

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) true

[@lespectator4962]

But it makes perfect sense though, throwing it when you're being charged is the most ideal time to use it because of the enemies momentum. It may have not worked all the time but when it did it was decisive.

[@LarS1963]

A pilum was a cheap, mass-produced weapons. Two were issued to every legionary before battle. They were thrown before the lines met, after which the legionary would use his sword. (Gladius) After the battle they were - assuming that the Romans won - collected and if possible, repaired. A legion had smiths, tools and mobile workshops attactched.

[@Chraan]

The last sentence is unsurprising, every army to be organized enough to be considered an army had all kinds of workers.

[@KirbyZhang]

would the back rows receive pilums?

[@laranaries4225]

I was taught that the pilum was also designed to bend on impact so it could not be thrown back. On the first impact, while the shaft is straight, it penetrates, but then it bends rendering it useless!

[@wimvanleuven8992]

History guy: Yeah, it's going to be rough. Sturdy wood and all. History guy: Went through it like butter!

[@Auriflamme]

It looked like 1/2 inch plywood to me, a knife could stab through that with ease.

[@lespectator4962]

But thats what its meant to do... Lol

[@AvrahamYairStern]

Truly ingenious. Even as a Latinist who studies the Roman Empire and Republic and spent years learning about the Romans in detail, I've never truly appreciated the Pilum until seeing this.

[@AvrahamYairStern]

@Rod 1984 what?

[@StandbyCymbalist]

"Mike Loades and his team prepare to demonstrate how to tie a Granny Knot." 0:15

[@mikeoxmaul45]

⏹ 👵

[@Bushido192]

I knew someone had to have commented on that :') Dude, it hurt my eyes so bad...

[@justinyang6521]

**roman pilum unmatched as ranged weapon** Mexico: hold my sandal

[@veniaminmurashko2513]

*Chancla

[@winn305]

@Marksman King ha 😲😂

[@darkincognito3826]

Are you the guy that's everywhere

[@thisiswhatilike54]

LA CHANCLA DE LOS MUERTO!

[@andrewwalker7315]

Pilum: Help me step shield, I'm stuck

[@techracer2003]

That's like the armor piercing bullet invention of that time.

[@Fedakeen]

I always imagine how horrific these puppies were to phalanx formations. Shields become useless and the lack of mobility and tight formations make the piercing barrages all the more devastating.

[@CM-ou1lx]

Am I the only one that sees the cut where one shot the pilum is barely in it, then one shot it’s drilled through ?

[@julianmunoz7836]

Yeah there was 2 shots

[@JohnDoukasPhotography]

Cody Menhennett I was also noticing the shield looks like particle board...if that means anything

[@will5204]

Hahah yeah I noticed too

[@gaelannash2279]

Nope, definitely a thing.

[@PhilippeLarcher]

No

[@ReviveHF]

When the nails were intact, the pilum can be used as a conventional Spear for melee purposes. If you remove one of the nails then you can use it as a javelin but the enemy can't throw back.

[@tantibusdraws6165]

“I used to be an adventurer like you, until I got shot with a pilum to the knee” -Whiterun guard

[@emperornero2902]

Plus, its "but then i took an arrow to the knee." So that mistake was completely unnecessary. *E* for effort.

[@TheTurboman23]

Shouldn't have taken that sweet roll

[@jelleludolf]

Do you notice the editing? The in-between shot, it hasn't pierced the shield at all. Around just before 1:00 Remain skeptical always.

[@ShinyTurd1]

It does appear they were barbaric. Was their shield made of compost plywood?

[@siuolsretlaw8166]

Styrafoam with balsa wood and paper covering! Lol

[@yashasvinathan6932]

Yep. They all belonged to the IKEA tribe.

[@jerrybroderick2858]

@@goldenhawk352 throughout history, man would not square the shield, and to this day if you learn how to fight with a sword and shield they teach you to hold the shield as far forward as possible, and not square the shield as the edge provides more resistance.

[@ememe1412]

@@goldenhawk352 on point three, the Roman skirmishers would've just thrown the pilum in volleys. The effective distance is only 15 to 20 yards. On the march towards the Roman line, their enemy's formation would've been harassed at successive ranges by ballista, slings and pilum. Their shield positioning is already considered. On the point of strategy, it's known that Romans would send a barrage from slings and ballista at the advancing line and when the shields moved (or the line squatted to defend projectiles overhead), skirmishers would charge the line and throw the pilum before retreating behind another line of skirmishers who would throw another volley. Any case, the pilum was not the deciding weapon. Its use was typical of skirmishing.

[@ememe1412]

@@jerrybroderick2858 this is not entirely true for using a scutum. The use of the scutum depends on the mode of combat being used which is normally based on unit formation. (The use of shield that you are describing is for individual combat with flat shields or bucklers.) The scutum is about a meter high and curved to leave about 2feet distance from the boss to the clad edges. This was for squaring the shield in tight formations (famously the testudo) while still being more maneuverable than interlocked shields (ie. aspis in phalanx formation.). When the Romans charged in a wedged formation, the scutum was held close to the body, gladius out, and used as a ram whilst stabbing with the gladius. (Why the gladius is short). Simply, when it's line to line, you have to square your shield and push against it. You can see to this day when a police riot line is charged. There's no other way to use the shield in that crush.

[@pirateswordman]

I had always read/heard about how the pilum would foal up the shield and was made so it could not be cut or removed easily. I had not realized until seeing this demo, the first purpose of the design was to punch through the shield and stab the shield holder! The combination of dead or wounded men with fouled-up shields must have helped break up the enemy line enough for the Romans to draw gladius and counter-charge into them.

[@markbarrow2761]

“Pilums are an umatched range weapon” I don’t know I thinks rifles are pretty good ranges weapons.

[@commodoresan7275]

Wait till you hear about ballistic missiles

[@AceDan-gc9po]

@@commodoresan7275 yall talking mad doo doo if your within 20 yards or so

[@themarimbaguy1478]

@@AceDan-gc9po yeah bro 20 yards, woo boy so far

[@malachi9821]

Guns???? Have you ever heard of a nuclear warhead?

[@dennisrichards2540]

Donno Mark, depends on how good your throw is = )

[@WojtekRat]

Finally, someone who understands the idea behind pilum.

[@huggniceman4975]

"What's a barbarian?" "Non-Romans" said the Romans, being invaded by non-Romans

[@DrShankyy]

Don't worry, Rome wont fall

[@huggniceman4975]

At least half of it. But it's not in Rome anymore so let's give it a new name

[@scintillam_dei]

Parthia was the real reason Rome fell. Without Parthia to keep Rome engaged in the east with most of its resources, it would have easily overcome the blond and brunette savages of northern Europe.

[@DSSlocksmiths]

@@scintillam_dei Aren't you forgetting a huge plague that killed millions, and the great famine caused by two volcanos? That is what reduced them to a shadow. Plus there was the constant overthrow of the civilian leaders who tried to bring the military back under some sort of control. Rome fell, but it was COMPLICATED.

[@scintillam_dei]

@@DSSlocksmiths Well, I never said it was only one reason, nor merely two. Their increasing degeneracy made them weaker and worthy of death so God brought a Scourge called ATTILA whose name doesn't sound as cool when you know it means "lil' daddy O!"

[@-KillaWatt-]

I'm just thinking of all the poor souls who were pinned to their shield on a battlefield. I couldn't imagine the helplessness it must have distilled into the mind.

[@erikderfreak]

Such a good and simple demonstration without any unnecessary story telling around! Great, short and informativ video!

[@johnny_tapia]

You can also stomp the wooden pilum spear to snap it off if you want to keep the shield.

[@MrAlwaysRight]

I didn't know anything about this and, honestly, I'm in awe. Imagine going to war against the Romans along side your friends and family and knowing that, purely out probability and terrible odds, either at least one of them, or you, was gonna die.

[@captain9470]

Romans never conquered Germany though.

[@muscledavis5434]

​@@captain9470they conquered a lot of it and lost a big part after Varus' defeat, but a lot of the area of modern Germany was still Roman for centuries. I live about 50 km north of the Limes and there is still a lot of Germany south of that. 2 Roman provinces were established, Germania superior and Germania inferior. The lands north east of the border were called Germania Magna and were not conquered again (there were some campaigns but not for expansion)

[@jorge69696]

I love his frustration at not being able to free the pilum. You know millions felt the same through history.

[@basrengangetch.2042]

My pilum never penetrared any shield F

[@ktms1188]

0:57 It barely is sticking in and then 2 seconds later, it shows all the way through now???

[@federalbureauofinvestigati9494]

Watch it more carefully, you can see exactly at 0:57 it's penetrating the whole shield. I don't know why in the next frame it was out

[@judahfollows1229]

Probably cz when the guy pulling it stopped the momentum made it come back out I think

[@megapangolin1093]

Cracking video, in 2 mins I have learnt more about the point of the interestingly shaped pilum than in the rest of my whole life, beautifully explained.

[@my_namejeff9770]

wow so much thought process went into designing these ancient weapons truly unbelievable

[@julialinden7254]

The shield was my plans for 2020 and the pilum is coronavirus

[@gentlebabarian]

Lol can't relate more!

[@pablopinzon1370]

Exactly

[@felixcat9318]

What a masterfully designed weapon of which I knew absolutely nothing, so I greatly appreciate your video. The combat of those times is utterly horrific to our modern sensibilities, razor sharp edged weapons, flails, axes, hammers spikes and pikes, swords and daggers, boiling oil, etc. No painkillers. No first aid. Mo medicines. Limited infection control and antibiotic treatment. Whilst the combatants certainly knew how to inflict great suffering and pain, it's fair to say that they also knew how to endure it too! Edited to correct an error.

[@R.M.MacFru]

Actually, honey was used as an antibiotic/antiseptic back as far as 3000BC

[@dominiquestephenson195]

While ancient weapons certainly were deadly causing terrible trauma modern arms are even more so. Unless you have first hand experience witnessing the results of modern high energy weapons most civilians in the western world never see the horrific effects on people or other living things. Our media self censors bloody and gory images to the point where many folks have no idea what the consequences of violence really looks like. It has always been horrendous and it always will be.

[@felixcat9318]

@@dominiquestephenson195 Very Well Said!

[@TokenTombstone]

At the time frame illustrated in this video, they had painkillers, first aid, and medicines. Keep editing for errors bud.

[@jaredleenewton]

Perfect example. It’s interesting that it was also used as a thrusting spear as well. Genius invention.

[@dennisleighton2812]

Numerous Roman battle accounts also speak of using a normal spear (called a hasta). Apparently, in some cases generals preferred the second spear to be a hasta, which has a long wooden shaft and leaf shaped metal tip. This would NOT be thrown but rather used as a thrusting weapon, and was most effective against non-armoured enemies.

[@9thteardropgameteller601]

Of course babarian lost. He just ran head first in front of his own shild.

[@ccrazool]

"Next time, let's not pull our shields on sleds behind us" "Genius!"

[@dar540]

If I may....the design of shields allowed them to wobble and deflect missiles rather than let the missile pass through like this. The wooden frame on the sled made the shield completely rigid which a shield is not designed to be rigid....if it was it would absorb 100% of the kinetic energy. Even using a shield to defend from swords and polearms it is used to deflect blows not fully absorb them. Pilum is lethal no doubt but I am sure we could demonstrate the lethality without watering down the testing to purposefully result in something that looks cool. Put a hold on the shield as if it was gripped by a human hand and wrist and then attach the base of that to the sled to demonstrate the charge. I must say I did enjoy the enthusiasm though. This guy was good on time commanders as well....what a show.

[@Wisdomisgood448]

Pilum's were designed to break as well upon impact, so that they couldn't be used and thrown back.

[@FJxJongno3ga]

This would be an Important part for this video to include because I'm thinking you could just pick up the pilum and still use it with the shield attached. It's not like you would just leave it all behind because a shield is dangling from this massive spear.

[@TamayoTama]

Not break but bend. If its broken the shield would be usable. If the metal part its bend nor the shield nor the pilum would be usable.

[@tylerdurden3722]

@@FJxJongno3ga All this happened right before the Romans charged at you. While you were charging the Romans. Imagine a mob of people behind you. There's no time to stop and sort out your shield with a mass of people pushing behind you. Plus that Pilum is a heavy cumbersome thing dangling from your shield, while you're being pushed forward. The neck of the Pilum was made of softer iron and was designed to bend.

[@sunnyjim1355]

@@TamayoTama Yes, finally somebody gets it.

[@Wisdomisgood448]

@@TamayoTama No, they were designed to break as well at the handle. There was a little pin that would snap which would make the Pilum turn into an L shape.. You can look it up. You're welcome!

[@justadummy8076]

1:55 you could also intentionally snap the pilum, but he probably doesn’t want to waste it on show

[@theqgene362]

Keep in mind. The Roman throwing it has trained. They would be very physically strong

[@bemotivated8443]

They also had to March over 20 miles a day so yes they would be very strong

[@publicalias8172]

I miss raids. Only 90s kids remember the barbarian raids.

[@7636kei]

OH YOU X)

[@xBrabus76]

What about raiding the Capitol??

[@ThatAsianKid32]

Very good against a shield wall too! A lucky throw could neutralize 2 or even 3 overlapping shields by pinning them together.

[@mattiasfriis6950]

Freeze frame at 1:00 and see that the pilum clearly hasn't fully penetrated from his throw. Yet at the slow motion and closeup shots, where we can't see who threw it, the pilum fully penetrates. What's up with that?

[@stevenp3176]

They also were designed to bend so they couldn’t be effectively thrown back at the Roman soldiers.

[@simuntrbuk5286]

I never knew about this weapon, I always thought they were throwing small spears. This is genius.

[@TonyM540]

They also had small spears.

[@jun0games]

0:58 they used 2 different throws and spliced them together. I can’t unsee it now

[@jeromemccollom936]

Maybe the most informing video on military history and tactics under three minutes on Youttube

[@usuilucifer8922]

Just a small suggestion: make the shield holder higher. The Gauls don’t craw on the ground. By making it higher you actually can aim better and throw the pilum earlier. Your aim is too close already you would not have a chance to draw your sword

[@zacharia4061]

Usui Lucifer It’s from being out of shape Englishman. Of course it’s not gonna be optimal. But it gets the point across

[@usuilucifer8922]

Zacharia yeah I know. But making it higher wouldn’t be much of a handful thing ya know. Just to make it more relevant. I don’t ask him to wear a full legionary suit or something. Just make the Target higher like when you practice gun or arrows high.

[@cryptidian3530]

0:57 - the tip is barely in 1:01 - it's all the way through

[@somefuckstolemynick]

Cryptidian did you miss the other sections where it clearly went through in one go? Obviously they did multiple takes and didn’t succeed on every attempt.

[@michaelweir9666]

If you look at the replay that follow's Mike's explanation you can see a second hole in the shield. Looks like they did two takes and meshed them together.

[@valaudae1809]

Cryptidian Glad you brought that up. Seems it needed 2 takes to “get it right”. Although Mike Loades is an expert in weapon handling, l assume a legionary would be more practised and effective. However, we are all adults here so Mike and co. should have fessed up and explained both throws. It would have led to a fuller understanding of the mechanics and human factors involved. Surely what we are all here for?

[@somefuckstolemynick]

@@valaudae1809 what's there to "fess up"? They are demonstrating a concept. Nothing works 100% of the time. Putting that in the video would have been a complete waste of time, it's pretty obvious. Especially since they show a clip of it failing, they aren't exactly hiding it.

[@khankrum1]

So now apply the mechanics of disruption the a mass body charging into a hail of Pilum These guys still adhere to pulling the Pilum out, discarding the shield. They totally miss the real devastation of the Roman tactic. The Etruscans used pilum long before the Roman's, but as individuals and not as an organised unit When you get a large body in motion, especially charging and they can not avoid the falling bodies and shields carnage happens. The mechanics of disruption. Heisel and Leppings Lane as a case to demonstrate how many victims are killed and injured by the crush of bodies Then apply a mean Roman smashing into you with Scutum and stabbing with Gladius. Stabbing to the face and torso and adding to the chaos. That is the real secret to the Roman Empire. Not merely a sharp point!

[@lioninspire192]

Short, and clear video ! Goes directly to the point ! How i like it !

[@parabellumgaming6018]

“Sturdy piece of wood” = 1/4 inch particle board 😂

[@1337penguinman]

Most likely plywood. Which in all honesty is a more effective shield material, especially against puncturing weapons like a Pilum, than what they would have actually used.

[@davidm8135]

@@1337penguinman finally someone said it

[@ryans6309]

1337penguinman it looks effective for its sturdy ness to weight ratio but I’d imagine some type of metal shields were used back then

[@Interrobang212]

@@ryans6309 in this time period? Not as often. It was far more common to have a metal center around a wooden shield. Sometimes there would be a reinforcing metal ring. I'd imagine cost / crafting time was a large factor. Weight is also another huge issue.

[@antonhelsgaun]

@@ryans6309 metal was quite expensive

[@christiansperspective8579]

00:58 you can see it barely went into the shied.

[@WeisSchwarz]

You need to check your eyes dude.

[@sherlockholmes8872]

The pilum slid back after it penetrated

[@DravicPL]

@@WeisSchwarz you need to watch the timestamp a few times because you got tricked by clever video editing or some vfx magic. They forgot to edit out the actual throw, though, which you can see in 0:58 or 0:59. The shot from above the ground (drone camera perhaps) shows the weapon's tip got stuck in the shield and didn't Pierce it.

[@WeisSchwarz]

@@DravicPL nope, your just got tricked by your own mind. As you could see, the tip was larger than the neck that it could slide back and forth virtually without friction after piercing.

[@christiansperspective8579]

@Antdestroyer why isn’t gravity pulling it out at 01:03? The video is edited dude. The host didn’t throw it through the shield.

[@davidm8135]

This is exactly what Julius Caesar describes in the conquest of Gaul. The enemy shield walls were made completely useless because of the pilum.

[@JI7NKJ]

What a very capable and lethal weapon, so much thought has went into every part of that spear.

[@jackbarrow3094]

Crossbow : Am I a joke to you?!?

[@bitsnpieces11]

How about 12 crossbow bolts hitting the same spot.

[@gwine9087]

It didn't exist then.

[@ryanjones7681]

Crossbow was not invented yet.

[@lordnecrotis5517]

Ballista and Scorpio = big crossbows

[@gwine9087]

@@alaric_3015 True. My mistake, I was thinking about Europe.

[@hyouzanren1846]

Roman:"our pillum is the best weapon in the world! " Mongol:"hold my fermented goat milk!"

[@nicedayright4064]

I think the roman empire, at its height, might not have had as much trouble with Genghis Khan as you might think. Warfare isn't a "rock-paper-scissors" RTS. The real strength of the roman military model is in its backside. Legions can take and hold ground long enough for the real weapon against barbarism to be brought to bear: civilization. The legions move in and build their little forts and pretty soon roman roads link them together. Villages spring up around the safety of the forts and those villages turn into cities. Cities full of taverns and brothels and all the petty little diversions that capture and corrupt your good little barbarian boys. Comfort is, after all, the one poison to which no amount of exposure grants immunity. Therein lies the second great strength of the legion. It takes a lifetime to create a horse-archer. A lifetime and a lifestyle completely incompatible with the comforts of civilization. A legion, on the other hand, can take a spoiled milksop and teach him to hold the line in just a few weeks. And if he dies, they can train another hundred without batting an eye. The legion model allows for a strong military to coexist with an advancing civilization. The nomad steppe archer cannot. After all, what happened to the mongols that 'conquered' china? Within two or three generations, they were sitting on cushions and eating with chopsticks. Barbarians can pillage but never conquer. They can raid, but never rule.

[@jaym2112]

@@nicedayright4064 I have scrolled through pages of one-liners, assertions, and non-sequitur rebuttals each with 10s or 100s of thumbs up. Yours -- the most thoughtful, cogent, and interesting I've read -- had none. Anyway... great comment. I appreciate it.

[@nicedayright4064]

@@jaym2112 My parents chose to homeschool me and forbade me the comfort of mediocrity. It's been a mixed blessing to be sure. Glad someone enjoyed my quarantined ranting in obscure internet locales.

[@Anh_Alexander]

0:14 This man tried to tie a square knot and made a granny knot instead Smh

[@eminentgold]

Basically an antique version of a sabot round