An amentum (Greek ἀγκύλη) was a leather strap attached to a javelin used in ancient Greek athletics, hunting, and warfare, which helped to increase the range and the stability of the javelin in flight. Stability in flight was important because it allowed the javelin to land on its point, which was the only way the throw could be accurately recorded in competition or be useful against a live target. An amentum also increased the effective length of the throwing arm, as does a spear-thrower, and so enhanced speed.
The javelin was held at ear level and released after a short run. The amentum was looped over the first two fingers of the throwing hand so as to slip off when the throw was made. In competition throwing for distance, including the Ancient Olympic pentathlon at Olympia, Greece, a blunt javelin would be launched at about 45 degrees, but in war or the chase, a sharp weapon was thrown much closer to the horizontal. Javelins and their amenta were used both on foot and from horseback.
The amentum was securely attached at or behind the centre of gravity of the shaft. Attaching the amentum behind the centre of gravity increased the possible distance thrown but reduced accuracy. Hence the amentum was detachable, and the athlete fastened it to suit his taste shortly before use. The winding of the amentum added rotation and therefore accuracy to the projectile, similar to the effect of rifling on a bullet.[1] The experiments conducted by H. A. Harris support the theories based on vase paintings of the proper use of an amentum.[2]
Performance enhancement
In experiments made by General Reffye for Emperor Napoleon III, a javelin that could be thrown only 20 metres by hand could be thrown 80 metres with the amentum. More recent experiments have failed to replicate this level of enhancement, with well-designed tests, showing only a 58% improvement on average.[3]
The advantages of the amentum are the high precision for fast-flying light javelins, and a less demanding construction than atlatl darts.
Parallels
Similar throwing straps were used on light javelins throughout Europe. Italian, Gaulish, and Iberian troops used them before and after the Roman conquests, they are mentioned in an ancient Irish story, and remains have been found on spears in the Nydam bog finds, where some appear to have been permanently fastened with studs. A similar device was used in New Caledonia, but in the rest of the world, the spear-thrower was the usual device for increasing the speed and range of light javelins.[1]
References
^ abGardiner, E. Norman (1907). "Throwing the Javelin". The Journal of Hellenic Studies. 27: 249–273. doi:10.2307/624444.
^Harris, H.A. (1963) "Greek Javelin Throwing", in Greece & Rome, Second Series, Vol. 10, No. 1 (Mar., 1963), pp. 26-36. Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Classical Association. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
^S.R. MURRAY, W.A. SANDS, N.A. KECK, and D.A. O'ROARK Efficacy of the Ankyle in Increasing the Distance of the Ancient Greek Javelin Throw in: Nikephoros, 23, 2010, 329-333.
January 11, 2023
amentum, company, company, amentum, greek, ἀγκύλη, leather, strap, attached, javelin, used, ancient, greek, athletics, hunting, warfare, which, helped, increase, range, stability, javelin, flight, stability, flight, important, because, allowed, javelin, land, . For the company see Amentum company An amentum Greek ἀgkylh was a leather strap attached to a javelin used in ancient Greek athletics hunting and warfare which helped to increase the range and the stability of the javelin in flight Stability in flight was important because it allowed the javelin to land on its point which was the only way the throw could be accurately recorded in competition or be useful against a live target An amentum also increased the effective length of the throwing arm as does a spear thrower and so enhanced speed A Greek with an amentum in the right hand It is very similar to the Swiss arrow Contents 1 Throwing technique 2 Performance enhancement 3 Parallels 4 ReferencesThrowing technique EditThe javelin was held at ear level and released after a short run The amentum was looped over the first two fingers of the throwing hand so as to slip off when the throw was made In competition throwing for distance including the Ancient Olympic pentathlon at Olympia Greece a blunt javelin would be launched at about 45 degrees but in war or the chase a sharp weapon was thrown much closer to the horizontal Javelins and their amenta were used both on foot and from horseback The amentum was securely attached at or behind the centre of gravity of the shaft Attaching the amentum behind the centre of gravity increased the possible distance thrown but reduced accuracy Hence the amentum was detachable and the athlete fastened it to suit his taste shortly before use The winding of the amentum added rotation and therefore accuracy to the projectile similar to the effect of rifling on a bullet 1 The experiments conducted by H A Harris support the theories based on vase paintings of the proper use of an amentum 2 Performance enhancement EditIn experiments made by General Reffye for Emperor Napoleon III a javelin that could be thrown only 20 metres by hand could be thrown 80 metres with the amentum More recent experiments have failed to replicate this level of enhancement with well designed tests showing only a 58 improvement on average 3 The advantages of the amentum are the high precision for fast flying light javelins and a less demanding construction than atlatl darts Parallels EditSimilar throwing straps were used on light javelins throughout Europe Italian Gaulish and Iberian troops used them before and after the Roman conquests they are mentioned in an ancient Irish story and remains have been found on spears in the Nydam bog finds where some appear to have been permanently fastened with studs A similar device was used in New Caledonia but in the rest of the world the spear thrower was the usual device for increasing the speed and range of light javelins 1 References Edit a b Gardiner E Norman 1907 Throwing the Javelin The Journal of Hellenic Studies 27 249 273 doi 10 2307 624444 Harris H A 1963 Greek Javelin Throwing in Greece amp Rome Second Series Vol 10 No 1 Mar 1963 pp 26 36 Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Classical Association Retrieved 21 September 2013 S R MURRAY W A SANDS N A KECK and D A O ROARK Efficacy of the Ankyle in Increasing the Distance of the Ancient Greek Javelin Throw in Nikephoros 23 2010 329 333 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Amentum amp oldid 1106535815, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
