C. 1-300 AD. Roman. A large socketed iron pilum spear head with a leaf-shaped blade and twisted neck. Pila were a key part of Roman military equipment and were used by the empire’s legionaries as throwing weapons preceding a charge whichended in close quarters combat. It is partially thanks to this type of spear that Rome was able to control an empire that reached from north-western Europe to the Near East and encompassed all the lands of the Mediterranean. For more information on Roman weaponry in general see Bishop and Coulston 2005, “RomanMilitary Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome.“ Good Condition. Size: L:450mm / W:30mm ; 310g; Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.