Last night I caught the second half of Gladiator on TV. In one scene, two soldiers were executed by a team of archers. The officer gave the order, “Fire”. Isn’t this an anachronism?
Upon reflection I thought that there were would be no association of the word “fire” with arrows, and thought it probably first was used with respect to the use of early guns, that did involve lighting something. I checked my dictionary, and the sense of this word relating to weapons is only for guns.
What might a Roman officer actually have said when giving the order to shoot arrows?
(I didn’t put this in Cafe Society because it’s a question about language, not really discussion of the film.)
I sorta doubt they would have wasted arrows on an execution anyway. You just don’t pull them out of the body and re-use them. Often, the head would break off and be stuck in bone.
Also, in the army, by beating to death, for certain crimes (I think desertion, cowardice and homosexual activity, but I’m not entirely sure), being thrown from the Tarpeian Rock, for things like treason and perjury, and apparently, being burned at the stake. (From Cicero’s recording of the Twelve Tablets, the origin of Roman law, here: )
IIRC, Nostradamus’ reference is right in that it reflects contemporary usage (in English). I believe this will also be found elsewhere in the literature of bow-and-arrow times.
One does let loose of the bowstring to “fire” an arrow, so “loose” would be appropriate as far as I can judge.
As to bow-and-arrow “firing squads”, I believe St. Sebastian was so executed if we’re to believe the old art and stories.
Don’t forget the Romans also used burying alive (for a Vestal who had broken her vows), and putting a traitor in a sack along with a dog, a rooster and a viper, then casting the lot into the Tiber.
The 1885 Times cite seems very late to support the use of “fire;” firearms had been in use since circa 1500.
This is not, incidentally, what most folks nowadays think of as “burried alive”. Her head would be left above ground, so she could still breath. She would also have been provided with food and water, and so would not have died of starvation or dehydration. What she would not be able to do is eliminate waste, the consequences of this being best left unimagined.
Meanwhile, the man with whom she broke her vows would be stoned.
maybe they got the term from using flaming arrows, since they used firey arrows in boat warfare and invading a polis. So it could be like, Fire arrow! or they could’ve gotten it from the Chinese and their rocket arrows… or NOT!
oh yes, Gladiator kicks ass. i’m gonna get that movie
“Last night I caught the second half of Gladiator on TV. In one scene, two soldiers were executed by a team of archers. The officer gave the order, “Fire”. Isn’t this an anachronism?”
I noticed that too, and was a bit surprised because in the battle at the start of Gladiator, the order (for both the archers and the catapults with flaming pots) was clearly given as “loose!” Someone slipped up on continuity.