Javelin
- Names: throwing spear; light spear
- In Redwall: Typically used by otters; sometimes used by other
species
- Origin: Germanic tribes, perhaps ancient Greeks/Romans
- Time Period: Anglo-Saxon / Viking era to the 10th and 11th
centuries
- Description: A short, light
spear that weighed about one or two pounds, not always even needing a
sharpened head. Often was propelled by a throwing device, sometimes
called an atlatl, which could increase the range and force of the javelin.
- Use: The javelin was used as a missile, with an effective range of
about 30 to 40 feet. It would fly relatively slowly, however, and was
easy to sidestep or even catch, so the best chance to hit something with the
javelin was to throw it at a mass of bodies. Often a typical strategy
was to throw the javelin at the enemy's shield (which were wood or leather
at the time), so that it would hamper the foe's movements and force them to
discard the shield.
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