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Hello everyone. I am currently in the process of getting into Roman reenactment. My initial plans are to become a legionaire. However, I am entirely left handed. I know the the legions strongly discouraged the enlistment of left-handed soldiers, so I was wondering if that disqualifies me from being a legionaire. :???:
Tyler
Undergrad student majoring in Social Studies Education with a specialty in world history.
"conare levissimus videri, hostes enimfortasse instrumentis indigeant"
(Try to look unimportant-the enemy might be low on ammunition).
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Disqualifies you in what sense? From joining a reenactment group? Realistically you aren't going to be swinging your sword around at most events unless you are doing an immersion or mock fighting, but I am inclined to say most events are for the public, and for that reason mock fighting is limited or non-existent for liability reasons.
If this is something you really want to do, just get used to the idea of using your shield in your left and sword/pilum in your left.
My father is right handed, but when he broke his right arm/hand he learned to write left handed, after he healed, he got used to using his left arm so much that he played baseball with a right handed mitt and is ambidextrous, so it is something that can be taught
Quintus Furius Collatinus
-Matt
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There's no reason why being left handed should stop you joining a group! Look on the bright side, you'll have an excellent shield arm!
Every polo player in the world has to play right handed and it doesn't stop anyone :wink:
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
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I'm a lefty, it did not stop me, i draw a sword as fast as every righthander miles.
But if you want to potray a gladiator then i would go for the lefty because thes were expensive gladiators because they were used to fight righthanded oponent while those did not fight a lefty to often.
but a miles is alright. i made my name even to be a lefty.
AgrimensorLVCIVS FLAVIVS SINISTER
aka Jos Cremers
member of CORBVLO
ESTE NIX PAX CRISTE NIX
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nice picture, Vindex. as a surveyor i like that.
AgrimensorLVCIVS FLAVIVS SINISTER
aka Jos Cremers
member of CORBVLO
ESTE NIX PAX CRISTE NIX
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Quote:nice picture, Vindex. as a surveyor i like that.
:mrgreen: Good isn't it? David Connolly of
Past Horizons has allowed me to pinch it!
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
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I would support the idea of training right handed. My good friend found that whatever he taught his right hand to do his left knew naturally. He is now ambidextrous and a brilliant miles and gladiator.
Regards
Richard
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Agreed with Richard - you will have no trouble training to fight right handed. I'm left handed and trained to fight right-handed, but unlike Richard's friend, I'm no longer comfortable fighting left handed. I wish I spent more time fighting both ways.
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Great. Thanks, everyone. 8)
Tyler
Undergrad student majoring in Social Studies Education with a specialty in world history.
"conare levissimus videri, hostes enimfortasse instrumentis indigeant"
(Try to look unimportant-the enemy might be low on ammunition).
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I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous. :?
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.