Sibyna

A sibyna (Ancient Greek: Σιβύνη) was a type of spear^[1][2] used for hunting or warfare (see boar spears^[3]) in ancient times.^[4]

A long heavy spear the Illyrians used was described by the poet Ennius according to Festius.^[5] Hesychius of Alexandria, (5th century) calls it similar to a spear. Suda lexicon (10th century) calls it a Roman javelin.

The word may be Illyrian or Thraco-Phrygian.

See also

• Spear

References

1. Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary sĭbĭna or sĭbyna, ae, f., = σιβύνη, a kind of hunting-spear, Enn. ap. Paul. ex Fest. p. 336 Müll. (Ann. v. 496 Vahl.); Tert. adv. Marc. 1, 1, as a transl. of , Isa. 2, 4 (for which the Vulg. has lanceae).
2. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), William Smith, LLD, William Wayte, G. E. Marindin, Ed., "...whereas the Illyrian σιβύνη is justly described as a venabulum or hunting-spear (σιβύνιον, Plb. 6.23.9; σιγύνη, Hdt. 5.9; Antip. Sidon. 13; sibina, Enn. Annal. 7.115; sibyna, Festus; sibones, Gel. 10.25)."
3. Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898): Sibĭna or Sibyna (σιβύνη). A boar-spear (Athen. ii. 5).
4. Illustrated Dictionary of Words Used in Art and Archeology by J. W. Mollett, ISBN 0-7661-3577-2, 2003, page 296, "Sibina, Sibyna, Gr. and R. σιβύνη. A kind of boar spear deployed in hunting."
5. The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, 1996, page 239.