Optio...puts his torcs where?

[Crispvs]

Why do we assume that phalerae and torcs were normally worn with armour at all? I can only think of two depictions of soldiers wearing decorations: Gnaeus Musius from Mainz, who appears to be wearing several layers, none of them identifiable as armour, under his phalerae, and Q. Sertorius Festus from Verona, who is wearing scale but no belt, along with what has been identified as a civic crown, suggesting that he is not dressed for war, despite the armour. It has often been suggested that many Roman soldiers owned special parade items in the form of crests, special tunics and staves. Could military decorations not similarly have been worn on special occasions rather than in battle. It might be nice if you portray a centurio to wear your phalerae to impress the crowds, but does that guarantee that that particular combination of equipment is correct. It may be worth noting that the majority of depictions of palerae, armilliae and torcs do not associate them with equipment.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>