Sibyna Explained

A sibyna (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Σιβύνη and Συβίνη and Συβήνη and Σιβύνιον and Ζιβύνη) was a type of spear^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} used for hunting or warfare (see boar spears^[5]) in ancient times.^[6]

A long heavy spear the Illyrians used was described by the poet Ennius according to Festius.^[7] Hesychius of Alexandria, (5th century) calls it similar to a spear. Suda lexicon (10th century) calls it a Roman javelin.

See also

• Illyrian weaponry

Notes and 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. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=sibu/nh Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, sibunh
4. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry=hasta-cn&highlight=sibyna A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), HASTA
5. Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898): Sibĭna or Sibyna (σιβύνη). A boar-spear (Athen. ii. 5).
6. Illustrated Dictionary of Words Used in Art and Archeology by J. W. Mollett,, 2003, page 296, "Sibina, Sibyna, Gr. and R. σιβύνη. A kind of boar spear deployed in hunting."
7. The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, 1996, page 239.