Roman/Greek bow

This is where we discuss the bows, arrows, quivers and other hardware used in Asian archery.
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Pybro
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Roman/Greek bow

Post by Pybro » Thu May 09, 2013 7:03 pm

Hello! Although this isn't exactly an Asian archery question, it is closely related.

The Romans and Greeks both used composite bow of the recurved style similar to Asian styles. However, does anyone know what type of horn they used? What animal?

I was unsure whether to put this in Hardware, general, or how to, so I figured I'd just go here. Feel free to move this if need be!

EDIT: I am of course, talking about bows made in Greece/Rome proper, not by mercenaries.
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Uli
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Post by Uli » Thu May 09, 2013 10:02 pm

Pandarus' bow was made from huge horns of an ibex according to the legend

some archaeological/historical evidence suggests that during Roman rule there was intentional breeding of long-horned cattle in Pannonia.

:?
jack farrell
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Post by jack farrell » Sat May 18, 2013 3:25 pm

Greece is in Asia Minor and there were many colonies. Romans used auxiliary troops from Asia. In short, the bow styles were well dispersed.

But you must be more specific as to a time period. The Greek bow of Pandorus would have been an angular bow typical of the Bronze age, later evolving into the Scythian style, enlarged into later Parthian style, being replaced by Hunn type used much in the Roman period.
PaleoNinja
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Post by PaleoNinja » Mon Jun 10, 2013 11:02 pm

When you say Parthian Style what bow do you refer to stephen? the only one I can think of from that period is the Yrzi bow
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