Table of Contents
Why did the Spartans never use the bow & Arrow in war?
The Spartans hated the bow and arrow because they thought that it was a weapon for cowards since it killed from a distance. They thought that it was for pussies. The Spartans always fought real close, face to face with their enemy.
When did archers stop being used in battle?
Out with the old. In Europe, military bows became obsolete around the 16th Century as firearms became more sophisticated. It should be noted that bows coexisted with guns in Asia for much longer than Europe. The war bow had served armies very well indeed for many millennia prior to the 16th Century.
Did the Spartan army have archers?
Spartans may have been haughty, but they weren’t foolish. A force of 300 archers accompanied the Spartan infantry at the Battle of Nemea in 394, alongside an even larger force of slingers. Evidence of how important the archer had become in Spartan military success can be found in events that unfolded in 388 BC.
What kind of bows did ancient Greeks use?
From the Aegean Bronze Age period two main types of bow are known: the simple wooden bow sometimes reinforced with sinew glued to the back to prevent breakage and to increase the bow’s cast; and the composite bow which combines four material -wood, sections of animal horn, animal tendons and sinews, and glue.
How effective were Roman bows and arrows in battle?
Battles were not won or lost by volleys of arrows, but they could set the legions up for victory. Distance was always a limiting factor. At its longest range, a Roman composite bow could reach 165-230m, depending upon the quality of the bow and the archer. The range at which they were most effective as a weapon was 50-150m.
How did medieval archers protect themselves from arrows?
As well as their bows and arrows, each archer had a bracer to protect his wrist from the bowstring. They also had leather finger guards or a metal thumb ring for pulling the string. They wore chainmail or leather armor and carried a sword for close quarters fighting.
What did the Roman archers do when they went home?
When they went home at the end of their fighting careers, they did so as men of status, bringing Roman culture and learning to their people. Roman archers fought using composite bows, like the horsemen of the Asian steppes.
Why are the arrows so hard to make?
The arrows themselves are difficult. They are made of multiple pieces which each have their own supply train and manufacturing difficulty.