09-27-2005, 04:32 PM
Quote: the author distinctly describes the toracomachus as 'invention of the ancients'. I don't know whether his innovation is just the leather cover or if it was just that the garment had fallen into disuse and the anonymous was advising its use again
Aitor,
Like I said:
Quote:Either it had not been used in a long, long time, or the author is describing an improved version, as he is doing with all the other items in this MS.
The 'Libyan Hide' may be the invention here, added to the padding garment. But I reserve judgement on that garment itself - I can't conclude from this short text that is was still in use. The use of felt is of course common, but I have no information that the subarmalis of old was also made of felt, or even that it was still in use. Mind you, it could have been of course, I just say that I can't conclude it from the text. Given de context of DRB and the use of wordfs like 'the ancients' makes me suspect that it was not in common use at that time.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
