CONTRIBUȚII LA CUNOAȘTEREA ARMATEI ROMANE TÂRZII (SECOLUL IV) 1. Arme pentru lupta la distanță din fortificațiile de pe granița de nord a Daciei Ripensis

NICOLAE GUDEA

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LATE ROMAN ARMY (4TH CENTURY) 1. Weapons for (Long) Distance Fights in the Fortifications on the Northern Border of Dacia Ripensis

ABSTRACT

From the works on the fortifications and on the army of the Late Roman province Dacia Ripensis (275-390) (fig. 1-3) the autohor (N. Gudea) selected the weapons used in distance fights: bow elements, balista elements and spearheads, heavy arrow-heads and light arrow-heads. Although there are 45 fortifications on the northern border of the province (fig. 4) (quadriburgia, old rebuilt camps, fortified towns, signal and watch towers) the publication of the weapons found in them is limited to seven sites: Donje Butorke (1), Orșova (4), Tekija (14), Kladovo-Kostol (3), Milutinovac (2), Hinova (36), Rtkovo (7), Kula (19) and Celei (5) (fig. 5-17). The launching weapons were divided into two groups: bone strenghtened from reflex bows and launching machines on mechanical basis (ballistae). Bow elements have been found only at Tekija/Transdierna and Kladovo-Kostol/Pontes; ballista pieces have been found at Orșova/Dierna; at least this is what results from the so far published discoveries. The hitting weapons are divided into three groups: 1. spearheads; 2. heavy arrow-heads; 3. light arrow-heads. Within each group the author suggests a typology according the shape of the blade, size and fastening in the handle. The spearheads fall under three divisional groups according to the shape of the blade: willow leaf shaped, pyramidal, pear leaf shaped; according to their size the spearheads are large and middle sized; as far as the fastening in the handle is concerned thus may have a gloved tube (socket) or a fixing nail (peduncle) (fig. 18-20). The heavy arrow-heads are only pyramidal shaped; they may be big or middle sized; fastened either with a gloved tube (socket) or by a fixing nail (fig. 21). The light arrow-heads are reduced in dimensions (down to 5 cm lenght); the blade shape being varied: leaf, pyramidal, rhomboidal winged rhomboidal; fastening in the handle being made either by gloved tube (socket) or by fixing nail (peduncle) (fig. 22). The above classification has been made on the basis of a small number of until now known pieces. With the increase of identified pieces the grouping an their typology can most likely be improved. Drawing a paralell between these weapons and the Late Roman weapons used for distance fights in the 4th century fortifications, dated for certain, like Vemania (Raetia II), or Gornea (Moesia I) it yet suggesting that this grouping and the typologies constitute a solid basis for the knowledge of the Late Roman weapons.

Cuvinte-cheie: Dacia Ripensis, graniță, fortificații, vârfuri de lance, vârfuri de suliță, vârfuri de săgeți. Key words: Dacia Ripensis, border, fortifications, spearheads, arrowheads.