RomanArmyTalk
Command stick - Printable Version

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Command stick - Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero - 03-22-2006

Avete Omnes,

I seem to see a transition of the Imperial vine to more of a plain
stick for Later Romans. Is this documented somewhere? Also if I make
one would sanding it and coating with linseed oil be proper?

Salvete

Re: Command stick - aitor iriarte - 03-22-2006

Dave,

That would be OK but don't forget the mushroom shaped head.
[Image: president.jpg]
[url:1k71tlam]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tribunus/DSCF0573.jpg[/url]
The sticks carried by late centurions or their equivalents are shorter than mine (I've taken it form the Piazza Armerina mosaic, where at least one of the lower-ranking officers wears the shorter type, while a higher-ranking officer is standing leaning on the longer type) and can stem directly from the vitis.

Aitor

Re: Command stick - aitor iriarte - 03-22-2006

Here goes the high ranking officer (a praepositus/tribune?) from Piazza Armerina:
[Image: Tribunus.jpg]
And, thanks to Robert :wink: , look at the tallest staff of all, worn by the emperor himself (The knob is spherical, though), Honorius:
[Image: honorius.jpg]

Aitor

Re: Command stick - Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero - 03-22-2006

Aitor,

Thanks for the info and the Images. I would guess a length of 5 feet would be good. Not sure if the one in the mosaic is a straight piece of wood or not.

Re: Command stick - Robert Vermaat - 03-22-2006

Quote:And, thanks to Robert :wink: , look at the tallest staff of all, worn by the emperor himself (The knob is spherical, though), Honorius
Did you notice the shield? Big Grin

Re: Command stick - Marcus Mummius - 03-22-2006

The long stafs were carried from the rank of tribune and upwards. A centurio carried a shorter staf. You can see depictions of centurio stafs on several early christian sarcophagi.

A book with very good photographs of some of those sarcophagi (depictions of both longer stafs and shorter centurio staf) is:

'Frühchristliche Sarkophage in Bild und Wort' by Theodor Klauser (1966)

Best regards,

Re: Command stick - aitor iriarte - 03-23-2006

You're welcome, Owain! Big Grin
Jeff is right, staffs carried by centurions/equivalents are much shorter than that. Look at this one:
[Image: Staff.jpg]

Robert,
What do you want to remark about the shield? Convex? The inner rim? Of course it is a three-quarters view... :roll:

Aitor

Re: Command stick - Marcus Mummius - 03-23-2006

Aitor,

In Klauser's book there is a picture of a soldier on a sarcophagus with a dished shield. You can clearly see that it is dished as the back of the shield is carved out.

Regards,

Re: Command stick - aitor iriarte - 03-23-2006

Jeff,
Thanks Big Grin wink:

Aitor 8)