RomanArmyTalk

The Vacheres warrior (see below- who may be an auxillary or a Gaulish prince- you pays your money and you makes your choice!) is currently on display in Rome. According to the write up, red paint was found on the belt and the sword hilt, and gilding on the fibula and torc. More evidence for colour in the 1st Century AD / BC!

Wow!! - Laudes awarded!

Where did you get the info?

That belt has always interested me, I'm convinced a similar studded belt has been excavated, but am struggling to remember where...

Quote:who may be an auxillary or a Gaulish prince

- Why not both? :wink:

Thanks- its from the latest edition of Minerva http://minervamagazine.com/

And the head had traces of red paint too- clearly Celtic! :roll:

Cheers

Caballo

Why not a roman soldier?

Could be a portrait of Lucius Vorenus......

Paul. Where you mention gilding on the fibula I take it you are refering to the button loop fastener that holds his cloak together, very similar to the one Miks has shown in his drawing about suggested sword suspension.

Is he wearing gloves?

I haven't noticed this before in any of the pictorial or statuary evidence. Did the Romans wear gloves or just wrap their hands in rags as they show in the movies or shows like Rome?

Interesting.

Cheers all,
Pict

Quote:Where you mention gilding on the fibula I take it you are refering to the button loop fastener that holds his cloak together

Did you look under the flap of the cloak to find out whwther it´s a fibula or a butto loop fastener?

Quote:Is he wearing gloves?

I haven't noticed this before in any of the pictorial or statuary evidence. Did the Romans wear gloves or just wrap their hands in rags as they show in the movies or shows like Rome?

What makes it looks like he's wearing gloves are the back-turned cuffs of his unusual long-sleeved tunic.

This cuff detail is common from the time, and can even be seen used much later on the Lancaster cavalryman. Probably.

But the belt interests me. It looks like a belt worn over a sash. But the angle of the belt as it dips down to the sword looks un-natural.

Cavalry swords are often shown suspended from the waist belt. This is sometimes described as a "Celtic" suspension system. :? I've often considered they may be hanging from the large studs discussed in this thread.

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=25271

That's a great, huge specimen of a hamata hook, too. Each side of it could easily be 5" long, given about a 17-18" shoulder width.

And look how far the doubler extends down the front of the body. Practically to the waist....ok 5 inches or so above.

Quote:But the angle of the belt as it dips down to the sword looks un-natural.

Could be because of the weight of the sword?

I sometimes have the same 'problem', but to a somewhat lesser extent:

It's possible the belt has a support tie to keep it in position, then the weight drags it down

I'd be carefull John you may be accused of peeking under his right hand with that thread you have put forward.