NooneOfConsequence wrote on Nov 13
th, 2021 at 9:49pm:
I wonder though if maybe the buckler is more useful for hand-to-hand combat than ranged defense, since slingers pictured with a buckler usually also have a sword.
Well, to be a bit flippant, if I were in a battle, I'd want at least a stick with me in addition to the sling, especially if I wasn't well shod and/or in great shape for running.
But it does make you wonder how a buckler and short sword could be effective, especially if the sling could out range bows. Shouldn't they be out of range? (perhaps not from other slingers?) I would think the buckler/sword would really just be insurance for if the battle didn't go as planned and they needed to defend themselves, or possibly if more bodies were needed for a route of the other forces. But I know next to nothing about ancient battles so I probably shouldn't be spouting my unsubstantiated thoughts, and yet, here we are.