A leather strap looped around a spear or javelin to help throw it farther and more accurately.
From Latin 'amentum,' possibly related to 'amnis' (river) or meaning a loop or thong. Used in classical times for throwing weapons.
Roman soldiers using amentum on their javelins could throw them much farther—it's basically the ancient version of a pitcher's baseball glove, adding leverage and distance to your weapon.
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