How to Make a Roman Spear
The pilum, or Roman spear, was a weapon of the ancient Roman soldier. It is a long pole-like weapon that the soldiers would hurl at their charging enemies. Its small arrow point would penetrate the shields and armor, but was designed to bend on impact so it could not be hurled back to the original sender. When making a Roman spear as an accessory for a Roman soldier costume, it can be sized to proportionally fit child or adult.
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Things You'll Need
- Wooden broom handle or wooden dowel 2 pieces of heavy cardboard (10" square) Pencil Scissors Black electrical tape Masking tape Aluminum foil Clear tape
Instructions
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1
Choose your wooden spear handle according to the person who will be using it with the costume. For a man, you might use a wooden broom handle. For a woman or child use a wooden dowel. The length will depend on the person's height; it should be long yet not awkward to carry.
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2
On one piece of the cardboard draw an arrow shape that will fit on the end of the spear. It should fit proportionally to the wooden handle.
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3
Cut out the spear-tip shape and trace onto the second piece of cardboard. Cut out the second shape.
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4
Place each piece of the cardboard cut out on the end of the spear. Line up the shapes to match, with the tip of the pole's end between the pieces. Use the masking tape to wrap around the spear tip, securing it to the end of the pole.
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5
Cover the spear tip with foil after the tip is secured to the end of the pole. The foil covering is intended to make the arrow look like metal. Use clear tape to secure the foil.
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6
Wrap black electrical tape around the opposite end of the pole. The tape is intended to mimic leather that was sometimes wrapped around the end of the spear to improve the Roman soldier's grip.
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