Lot 127
**First Time At Auction**
Roman Empire, Thrace (Bulgaria), probably late imperial period, ca. 300 to 400 CE. This is a long, thin spearhead with a slight ridge and an open socket. Spears (hasta/hastae in Latin) were used by Roman legions in tight phalanx formations, a form of warfare that came down from the Greek period and which the Romans used to great effect early in the period, against the Etruscans and other tribes in Italy. Under the Marian reforms in 107 BCE, the spear was replaced as the primary weapon by the sword. Hundreds of years later, in the 3rd century CE, as cavalry became important, the Romans once again began to use spears. A spear like this one, found in a heavy war zone in the late Imperial period, at the edge of the Germanic tribes' incursions, must come from this cavalry period. Size: 12.25" L x 1.4" W (31.1 cm x 3.6 cm)
Provenance: Ex-Estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the US with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.
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#116644
- Condition: Tip has broken off; heavy but stabilized corrosion/rust/pitting to surface. Aside from missing tip, shape is nicely clear.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |