Extra Ianua - about turkish archery

[Gianrico]

Hello,

I wanted to ask you something about a text on turkish archery I read on Internet, but in a recent computer crash I've loose all my bookmarks ( ), I just remember the essential data of the subject.

In an ancient description of a traveller about turkish archery, it is narrated that turkish archers shoot using as a target a little "hill" of earth; before the hill there was some wood boards. A shaped hole was cutted into boards, and the archer has to shoot through this shaped hole.

I remember the author of this text makes an odd association: when archers shoots outside the shaped hole, this was called shooting "extra ianua", which means "outside the door".

I wonder what a latin expression has to do with turkish practice of archery, and - if this account is historically correct - does the "hole" have a precise shape, perhaps with a symbolic meaning?

I know my question is a little blurred, thanks aniway for your help.

Best regards,

Gianrico

[Gianrico]

I'm been able to find the text on Internet:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~marcelo/archery/l ... r12_2.html

The author suppose -for this practice- a Greek derivation. It is perhaps interesting to note that the symbol of the door (Ianua --> Janus --> Januarius = January) will become very important in roman culture.

Thanks and best regards

Gianrico

[Stephen Selby]

'Knocking on the door' and 'outside the door' are both terms used in Chinese to describe errors in shooting with the pebble bow. They are not used with reference to shooting with arrows.

[Gianrico]

Thanks Stephen... if I will find other news on the supposed Greek use I will post them.

Best regards

Gianrico