Germanic Javelin (framea)

Timeline

1. c. 1–200east of the Rhine · east of the RhineWorks such as Tacitus's Germania record that Germanic warriors were equipped with throwable spears, contrasting with the heavy javelins of the Roman legions and reflecting the light infantry tactical traditions of frontier tribes.
2. c. 200–400Danube and Rhine frontiers · Roman Empire frontiersFrom the third century onward, as Germanic confederations frequently fought the Roman legions, framea-type throwing spears were widely equipped in the armies of tribes such as the Franks and Alemanni, often used in combination with shields and short swords.
3. c. 400–500Western Europe · Western EuropeDuring the Migration Period the armies of the Germanic kingdoms continued the light throwing spear tradition, with some forms gradually diverging into specialized weapons such as the angon, laying the foundation for early medieval infantry equipment.