| abstract
| - The Dacian tribes were part of the greater Thracian family of peoples.[citation needed] They established a highly militarized society and, during the periods when the tribes were united under one king (82 -44 BC, 86-106 AD), posed a major threat to the Roman provinces of Lower Danube. Dacia was conquered (except for the Free Dacians) and transformed into a Roman province in 106 after a long, hard war. The most important weapon of the Dacian arsenal was the falx[citation needed]. This dreaded weapon, similar to a large sickle, came in two variants: a shorter, one-handed falx called a sica, and a longer two-handed version. The shorter falx was called sica (sickle) in the Dacian language. The two-handed falx was a polearm. It consisted of a three-feet long wooden shaft with a long curved iron blade of nearly-equal length attached to the end. The blade was sharpened only on the inside, and was reputed to be devastatingly effective. However, it left its user vulnerable because, being a two-handed weapon, the warrior could not also make use of a shield. Alternatively, it might be used as a hook, pulling away shields and cutting at vulnerable limbs. Using the falx, the Dacian warriors were able to counter the power of the compact, massed Roman formations. During the time of the Roman conquest of Dacia (101 - 102, 105 - 106), legionaries had reinforcing iron straps applied to their helmets. The Romans also introduced the use of leg and arm protectors (greaves and manica[citation needed]) as further protection against the falxes. The Dacians were adepts[citation needed] of surprise attacks and skilful, tactical withdrawals using the fortification system. During the wars with the Romans, fought by their last king Decebalus (87-106), the Dacians almost crushed the Roman garrisons south of the Danube in a surprise[citation needed] attack launched over the frozen river ( winter of 101-102 ). Only the intervention of Emperor Trajan with the main army saved the Romans from a major defeat. But, by 106, the Dacians were surrounded in their capital Sarmizegetusa. The city was taken after the Romans discovered and destroyed[citation needed] the capital's water supply line. Dacians decorated their bodies with tattoos like the Illyrians and the Thracians. The Pannonians north of the Drava had accepted Roman rule out of fear of the Dacians. Dacia remained a Roman province until 271. Marcus Annaeus Lucanus 39 - 65 wrote of Dacian hordes; Have poured her captains, and the troops who guard the northern frontier from the Dacian hordes Dacians that could afford armor wore customised Phrygian type helmets with solid crests (intricately decorated), domed helmets and Sarmatian helmets. They fought with spears, javelins, falxes, one-sided battle axes and used "Draco" Carnyxes as standards. Most only used shields as a form of defense. Cavalry would be armed with a spear, a long bronze La Tène sword and an oval shield. Most[citation needed] of the infantry would wield a falx and perhaps a sica and would wear no armor at all even shunning shields.
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