Note 604 — Chapter XVI · THROWING THE JAVELIN

The lightness of the Greek javelin is illustrated by Xenophon. In the passage of the Ten Thousand through the mountainous territory of the Carduchi, the Greeks picked up the long arrows of the enemy, and, fitting thongs to them (ἐναγκυλῶντες), used them as javelins. By means of a thong it is possible to throw a dart too light to be thrown effectively by hand alone. Anab. iv. 2, 28.