Trilobate arrows were widely used for their armour-piercing qualities and lightweight, which permitted a more portable bow. Avar warriors used them against Roman soldiers and other enemies. These arrows could be fired up to 1500 feet. According to some historians, Avars introduced important military technology to Europe – an iron stirrup, which made the soldiers on horseback more secure and steady in the saddle. They also used a composite bow – skilled Avar riders at full gallop could shoot up to twenty arrows a minute.
To discover more about warfare and weapons in the Middle Ages, please visit our relevant blog post: Medieval Weaponry.