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FLAVIUS
VEGETIUS RENATUS BOOK ONE THE LOADED JAVELIN The exercise of the loaded
javelins, called martiobarbuli, must not be omitted. We formerly had two legions
in lllyricum, consisting of six thousand men each, which from their extraordinary
dexterity and skill in the use of these weapons were distinguished by the same
appellation. They supported for a long time the weight of all the wars and distinguished
themselves so remarkably that the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian on their accession
honored them with the titles of Jovian and Herculean and preferred them before
all the other legions. Every soldier carries five of these javelins in the hollow
of his shield. And thus the legionary soldiers seem to supply the place of archers,
for they wound both the men and horses of the enemy before they come within reach
of the common missile weapons.
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