"Getting Chariots Right" Topic

Doesn't the descision of bow vs. spear (if there was such thing) tell about how the chariots were used? And wasn't that difference at least one of the reasons to distingusih two types of "wargaming" chariots?

There isn't really any evidence of different weaponry between any of the Middle Eastern LBA chariots (Egyptian, Hittite, Mitanni etc.) … mostly they are bow armed but some have pods for javelins. The javelins would either be thrown (doubtful when you already have a bow) or for use on foot.

There is a difference between all those sorts of chariot and the Mycennean/Early Greek chariots (with the rail running through the cab and the warrior armed with a long spear) … There is some considerable doubt whether the spear is for fighting on foot or whether these charioteers 'jousted' at each other. Some have 'demonstrated' that even these longer spears are not long enough to fight chariot-to-chariot with (but the jury remains out on that one) … these chariots may have been more battle taxis than fighting platforms*

Phil
Ancients on the Move
*personally I would favour 'a bit of both' but there isn't much evidence …

Phil, thank's a lot for your input here (and everywhere!)