RomanArmyTalk

:?:

Hi,

I would like to know if wolfskin was worn (on helmet) by a specific standard bearer : aquilifer ? imaginifer ?

Concerning the cornicines and tubicines, they are sometimes covered with a bearskin. Do you have period illustration of musicians with wolfskin ?

Can someone give me the earlier and latter known representation of a miles with a wolfskin on his helmet ?

Was the skin sewn on the helmet ? Glued ?

According to you, was the wolfskin connected with Remus and Romulus or rather to other myths (Hades and so Pluto, Silvanus, etc) ?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Hervé CAILLAU from Novempopulania

You're opening a can of worms here!

I advise you to first read through these older discussions here on RAT:

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... =wolf+bear

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... =wolf+bear

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... =wolf+bear

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... =wolf+bear

And there are some more threads. The search function at the top of the page is a wonderful tool :wink:

Vale,

The one safe part of that question set is, "How was the pelt held onto the helmet?"

AmerIndian fur pelt hats were sometimes just tied under the chin with a narrow leather strap. They used the head and legs also, and sometimes crawled on hands and knee, with the animal's ears making a silhouette that didn't look like a person.

Back on topic, with a metal "bowl" on one's head, would there have been other attachments besides the crossed paws under the chin?

Tie it on to the crest holders, or cheeckpieces? I just got my Gallic H, and I can see a few places to run thongs through to attach a wolfskin (or pelt).

Of course the original helmets wouldn't have had those same fittings, but still....

Many thanks Marcus,

This subject is "spicy". Well, I must admit that I was influenced by modern illustrations. Wolfskin was an evidence for me. Until someone gives me a proof of the use of a wolfskin by a 1rst BC roman soldier, I won't go that way.

But looking at Flavius Crispus's coin pictures and my columns pictures, that's really hard to say which animal is illustrated. The one who can be sure to see a bear has better eyes than mine.


All the best.

Hervé CAILLAU from Novempopulania

You're very welcome!

Vale,