Encyclopedia of the Uniforms of the Roman World... - Printable Version +- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat) +-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: Encyclopedia of the Uniforms of the Roman World... (/showthread.php?tid=21062) Pages:
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Encyclopedia of the Uniforms of the Roman World... - Condottiero Magno - 01-15-2013 Thanks all for the reviews. Due to the extent of the subject and the number of pages, I didn't expect the title to be anything more than an introduction and while I'm willing to overlook the occasional mistake, the number of errors that's been pointed out, has convinced me to avoid purchasing this book, especially as it's not available locally AFAIK. A Mr. D. Evans has mentioned errors in his Amazon.co.uk review: Quote:I've been waiting many months for this book to be released, and I must admit the final product is a let down. Just a quick flick through the book is enough to show that this title is poorly researched and full of inaccuracies, and is therefore a questionable guide to Roman 'uniforms'. First off it's worth mentioning that the Romans themselves didn't wear military uniforms in the same way as armies have done since the 19th century; instead they were given standardised equipment in the form of a helmet, armour, shield etc after the reforms of Gaius Marius. This equipment would not have been exactly alike in appearance for a whole legion, so the depiction of a cohort (pg.99) wearing matching helmets and even lorica squamata (scale armour) is very questionable. There are many other errors:The Amazon link has the author's responses... The supposed justification for the reconstruction of a Gallic cavalryman in Macedonian gear is based on the images in the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus and according to another Amazon reviewer: Quote: Bishop and Coulston, in Roman Military Equipment, 2nd Edition, page 66, support this, when they describe the Roman soldiers on the altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus, images of which can be found online. 'This monument also depicts a cavalryman wearing what is clearly a Boeotian helmet, a broad-rimmed type dating back to Hellenistic times and recalling Polybios' comment about Roman cavalry being equipped in the Greek manner.' This type of helmet is also depicted in Nick Sekunda's Republican Roman Army, Osprey Men at Arms no 291, plate G2, but with a yellow plume. Encyclopedia of the Uniforms of the Roman World... - Caratacus - 01-17-2013 Yes, as Graham Sumner (and others) have said, it's a very derivative work - although there is a lot there. The author has copied certain aspects of Connolly's 'style' (collections of helmet types, or spear variants) but without the detail that Connolly incorporated into his paintings. Also, you knew that Connolly had actually seen and handled the various items that he painted. I don't get that impression here. Many of the paintings look like they are 'dressed photographs'. This was a technique pioneered some years ago in a number of books by Michael Barthrop (I think), particularly where Napoleonic subjects were concerned. It's a little surreal at times! The one big advantage of this work is that it extends well into the late empire period, indeed into the period of the Byzantine Empire to some degree. It's often not easy to come by this information. Of course, it has to be accurate ....... and this is where the lack of a proper bibliography is most serious. Just how reliable is this information? Mike Thomas (Caratacus) |