scuta colors

[Crispvs]

Graham,

Thanks for your reply. Obviously my statement was rather too general. What I should have said was that where a figure in a fresco is securely identified as a soldier, such as in the magistrates court fresco, we can read more from the colours the tunics are shown in, as the identification is secure. Even then though, there is room for debate. Is, for instance, one of the figures wearing pale blue or is pale blue being used as shading on a white tunic? I would not like to be the one to make that decision.
Where a figure is not securely identified as a soldier, such as the man on the pub sign, assumption must necessarily come into play. The colour of this man's clothing is in no way ambiguous but there is nothing like a belt or weapon head to prove he is a soldier, although your reasoning does make a lot of sense.
It is when it comes to literary references where ambiguity really becomes a major factor. If, for exampl, soldiers were known as 'russati', does that necessarily have to mean that it was their tunics which were red. It could just as easily mean that they often had ruddy faces or were sunburnt. Here we might bear in mind Caesar marching bareheaded at the head of his soldiers in Gaul. Then again it could mean that they were hot blooded and fierce. Similarly, if soldiers were said to be wearing the dreadful colour of Mars, does that necessarily mean red tunics? Could it not as easily be cloaks, angry aggressive facial expressions or even a military standard? I think you see what I mean.

In no way would I ever criticise your efforts to bring to our attention the fullest possible catalogue of colour evidence and I have often noted with some admiration your impartiality. It is simply here that I think that some of the evidence is closer to being potential evidence rather than solid evidence. As such it has to be interpreted, as the authors are not here to advise on what they meant. I think that your interpretations are perfectly legitimate but I submit that in a number of cases there are other possibly interpretations. This is not to belittle your achievement. I think that you have spared no effort to give the full list of all evidence and potential evidence available and we have all learned a great deal from your research. A richly deserved laud point is thus awarded.

Demetius,

Where is that quote from? Is it a novel or an actual account from antiquity which I was previously unaware of. Then again, does my question simply demonstrate that I sometimes take jokes too literally.

Crispvs