07-16-2007, 09:40 PM
Quote:Question: did an early 2nd century AD centurio wear a balteus with apron? I think 1st century ones didn't have the apron...
Not a lot of evidence either way. The Ludovisi Sarcophagus (Antonine?) seems to show a centurion in a lorica segmentata wearing an aproned belt, but the artistic treatment of the "apron" is vague. A couple of might-be centurions on the Antonine column are wearing short aprons, but again it's unclear whether these are in fact centurions or some other class of officer. Alas, in the later first and second century, centurions developed the habit of showing themselves in their civvies (tunic, toga) on their grave stelae, usually reclining for dinner. Very inconsiderate of them for us reenactors!
In any case, I'm currently making a replacement belt, sans apron, using openwork plates with the hound-chasing-hare motif which seems to originate in the Antonine period.
T. Flavius Crispus / David S. Michaels
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius