Roman Spiculum Socketted Javelin Head. 3rd-4th century A.D. An iron javelin composed of a triangular-section head and tapering round-section socket. Cf. Marchand, D.J., Roman weaponry in the province of Britain from the second century to the fifth century AD, Durham, 1991, pl.11, no.6 (Newstead), for the type. 90 grams, 19 cm high (7 1/2 in.) Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK. Brigantia Antiques, York, UK, 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Apart from the pilum, Vegetius in his Epitome de Re Militari II,15, speaks about another javelin used by the Roman army, the so-called spiculum. He stated '.it was composed of a staff five and a half feet long and a triangular head of iron nine inches long (circa 22cm)..the soldiers were particularly exercised in the use of this weapon because when thrown with force and skill, it often penetrated the shields of the foot soldiers and the cuirasses of the cavalry'. [No Reserve]

Fair condition.