08-31-2007, 05:46 PM
Quote:I've said a number of times before on RAT, I think these helmets under discussion on TC and similar are stylised representations of the Italic A, as with other similar monuments. Above all other options, I truly believe the helmets are based on what were seen within the walls of Rome, which would not be worn by legionaries and auxilia, nor even Praetorians, simply because they weren't allowed to wear their armour. In other words, the sculptors modeled the helmets on those worn by vigiles or the urban cohorts, and "refined" them with artistic license. And I'm not just talking about the TC sculptors.
Quote:Another aspect to the Column that to me is near proof that it completely disregards any pretence of accuracy in military dress; where's the Dacian armour? Dacia was a highly evolved, rich and powerful culture, and yet they themselves are portrayed wearing simple trousers and hats. But we do know they had armour. Not only do I think basing a Roman impression on the Column is foolhardy, but even a Dacian impression.
Very interestings thoughts!
Were could i see depictions of the dacian armours?
On the one hand, it's pretty hard to envisage not even an armour was given to the scupltors as a model.
On the other hand, the scupltors may not pay attention to the likelihood of the legionary depiction. The most important was to make the the people recognize the "good" guys from the "bad" guys.
Convention and propaganda would explain this, as it has already been said.
It's more or less the same thing in many warlike medieval paintings.
May be the roman people had already a picturing of the legionary coming from theatre, street shows, graffitis, votive items, etc...
And the trajan column scupltors just fitted to this picturing cause they wanted the people to understand the column or themselves were imagining the legionary the way the scuplted them on the TC.
ERWAN
