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Exactly. I only refer to it as a reflex-deflex bow simply because that's the shape it takes when it is strung. The tips point backward and don't have a reflex arch, but is also two segmented, hence the "V-Shaped" or reflexed grip. The unstrung profile being unknown is what makes it difficult to pin down.

To threaten is the purpose of all weapons, really. Arrows rarely kill, only if they hit a vital area like the torso and forehead, which were mostly covered by helmets and shields anyways, hence the practicality of poisons. Even then, getting shot at by an arrow which lands a hit, even if it doesn't pierce holds a psychological effect in that it's generally still not pleasant.

It could easily be both. If arrows had heavier heads on them, it would mostly affect launch trajectory and stability depending on how the shaft is made to accomodate a heavier head. Of course, they would also try to practice 'long-range work' but that itself also implies that they were initially not 'long range' missile fighters, but accustomed to shorter ranges anyways, and the technology of bows reflect that, but really we'd just be talking in circles about it, there's no true certainty to it.

Much appreciate it. I would say your updated bow shape typology is underrated itself. It really helped me to narrow down and analyze what I was seeing.

The Cretans were known for being Archers, not necessarily 'great'. They just had more people practicing archery for military roles than mainlanders did, hence it was only a pragmatism to bring them on board whenever possible (which itself wasn't always possible, say for example Crete's refusal to join the Anti-Persian alliance). This was to bolster an army's number of ranged troops, as opposed to putting all their eggs in one basket and throwing all of their own missile troops in the fray. I do have a video in the works on the bows used by Greeks and Cretans with especial attention paid to Minoan Crete, so just watch out of that one.

You mean the Chiton/Exomis? I got it from 'PythianPieces', whom are on Etsy, based out of California, USA. The pieces are quite quality for their affordable price. Only issue is that my printing came slightly faded, but its all still visible.

Hi, I'm back, and I was looking at old European artwork from the medieval to the Renaissance era, and if you look closely at the draw hand of the right side, split finger draw hand. The palm is facing down a little, not parallel, I just find this intriguing.

Much appreciate the support. The Greek Tertiary release is still debated. The most relevant work on it is again Dr. Spyros Bakas, and I personally believe some of the logic he uses to argue the primary release is rather shoddy at best(to a point he calls it the 'Greek Draw' which I believe is a little too arrogant). The theory that I demonstrate in my prior video is one way that I was able to replicate the depictions and does have objectively positive qualities on its own regardless of respect to historicity.

@@Bucellarius Ha! That's exactly one of the works I read. Well, at least he always puts "Greek" in quotation marks.

@@angela_merkeI Apologies, but I have to correct myself. It's been some time since I read that particular article, which is why I misremembered it, but in the context of Bakas' main point, 'Greek' Draw just meant any variety of pinch draw, including the Secondary and Tertiary method. Though, I still have problems with using the term 'Greek' to describe it, in the same way I have problems using Morse Typology in general.

Perhaps the same thing. There's one of Eros (son of Aphrodite, not the Primordial) using his bow with leveled hands so that the arrow would come high before his face, but that may or may not necessarily implicate he is using a tertiary technique with the last two fingers curled into the palm (something like what Apollo uses here) whereas the other examples of Artemis and Odysseus depict a variation involving different orientations of Tertiary in relation to the last two fingers. If I were to give advice to Eros, I would tell him to just use a pinch technique simply because it's weakness is what will avoid killing people, since all he's trying to do is make them fall in love.

@@Bucellarius Yeah, plus he flies, so a high ancor point makes sense 😁

Let me know how that goes

ehh, this is awkward. Unfortunately, when I was trying to string it one day, I broke one of the limbs. It really sucks cause I know that Mr. Rovcanin is great at his craft and my carelessness wasted a great custom piece. That very reason is why i've been very quiet about the despot bow, it's really quite shameful on myself and I know how the archery community can be about things like this. As for the Pannonian Cap, it's not entirely accurate. It's more of a folded medieval cap, but at the time I just needed something I could use that looks like a Pannonian cap on the surface of it. The other Pannonian cap I got is more accurate, though is arguably more civilian in function as it is very soft and not padded so that it can be worn underneath helmets. If anything, I would recommend just getting a customized kit from Res-Bellica, they specialize in Late Antiquity among other periods. It may cost some, and I personally haven't done any business with them yet, but it's certainly easier to get it all at once from a single source than try to amalgamate pre-made pieces from different sources which makes it difficult to find all of the pieces. I mean, seriously, trying to find socked Thorsbjerg trousers is almost impossible despite how common it is among reenactment circles. Another alternative is to get custom made pieces from Living-History-Market; they can't make everything, but they do specialize in a medieval Byzantine context if that's something you're going for, and are also willing to custom make Late Antiquity items so long as the embroidery is simplified. Another source for Byzantine things would be True-History Shop, which is fantastic, but I have only done business with them once and would do it again if not due to them being based in Russia, and I'm a little afraid how business relations with the east may have been affected by the currently ongoing conflict in Ukraine and whether or not it will be possible to get those kind've exports from the eastern bloc anymore.

​@@Bucellarius I think that I actually know and kind of understand the problems you had with the stringing, my first stringing almost went badly as well. The bow is of a similar poundage, just a few lb difference. I found out that due to the very round handle of the bow it has a tendency to twist and not be stable and from behind the knee in step through method. It truly is the trickiest bow I have for stringing. I have been looking for the hat before and ordered them as well. But I have been waiting for 3+ months for them to be made. Lack of fur was problem. The place is medievaldesign. Considering I did not want to wait that long I thank you for the other recommendations. Got to say as well that I really love the work you have been doing on the sources and to some extent you and your work have been one of the reasons that when I start my PHD studies in summer one of the directions I am thinking to go with my thesis is towards late roman army/archery/persian-roman military exchange. Still have some time to flesh the idea out and consult with others but thank you for your work. (EDIT: I think that these dudes (medievaldesign) could also make socked Thorsbjerg trousers)

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla (198 - 217 AD) of the Severan Dynasty. In 212, he created an Edict that would grant citizenship on mass to everyone within the borders of the Empire, thus marks an important point in the evolution in the definition of the term of 'Roman', and hence an important thing to point out with the development of 'Archery as Roman'.

Don't worry, I'm currently in the process of making some videos. I just need to wait for some more equipment to come in for some footage.

Good Video, well researched. Though personally, I don't really like the referenced videos I had made, and am looking to update them. After uncovering some other sources, and doing more puzzle piecing, my opinion on the topic has shifted to a point where I don't think the information is particularly accurate; at the very least it's not how I interpret it anymore. I'll release updates eventually, hopefully more concise as well, but I appreciate the reference.

@@Bucellarius ah the old “do research and prove yourself wrong” conundrum. I know it all to well friend. Looking forward to your next videos!