- Aklys
The aklys (
Latin aclys, Greek agkulis) was a Romanjavelin measuring approximately 2 m. (79 in., 6.6 ft) in length, thrown with the aid of a leather strap oramentum . Every soldier was issued at least two.Blair, Claude and Tarassuk, Leonid, eds. (1982). "The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons". p.17.Simon & Schuster . ISBN 067142257X.]The term also applies to a small mace or club equipped with spikes, attached to one arm of the wielder by a strap of adjustable length to enable the weapon to be retrieved after it had been hurled at an enemy. Its use probably goes back to the
Osci tribe of southernItaly .The weapon is also described as a dart [Stone, George Cameron (1999). "A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times". Courier Dover Productions, 694. ISBN 0486407268.] and as a
throwing stick orboomerang . [Burton, Richard F. (1987). "The Book of the Sword".Dover Publications . ISBN 0486254348.]Popular culture
The aklys, as a "thonged club", appears in various
fantasy games such as "Dungeons & Dragons " (the 1985 manual "Unearthed Arcana ") and in "NetHack " [http://nethack.wikia.com/wiki/Aklys] at least as far back as 1987. [http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sources.games/browse_thread/thread/ffca0cd03579c2d5/e566257de569b92b?lnk=st&q=aklys&rnum=1#e566257de569b92b]ee also
*
Javelin throw
*Military of ancient Rome
* Morning star
*Ranged weapon
*Roman army
*Roman military personal equipment
*Spear References
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