Funny Question about Caligae

[M. Demetrius]

I'm no expert, and have only woven a little. I think it's safe to say, though, that enough wool cloth to make a military tunic would take a weaver about a day per panel, or two days' labor. Remember, the wool has to be spun from raw wool, which also has to be combed, somewhat degreased, and sorted before it can become yarn. If it had to be dyed, add at least a few days for that process. I'm sure people in a vicus wove. And tunics would be an obvious choice of marketable goods.

Cesary could probably give an accurate time, since he's dealing with people in Ukraine who are just as close to the sheep pen as anybody...hand spun, hand woven is still basically the same process, though perhaps modern table looms work a little faster than warp weighted. Still, it's no small task, which is why the cloth for one from that source costs, what, 70 pounds? 150 USD?

And my own view, however skewed, is that a torn, unmendable tunic would have become focalae, polishing cloths, leg wraps, foot covers, smaller gear/storage bags, helmet padding, waist sashes, and a dozen other uses, rather than being simply discarded. Hey, with cloth at a reasonable price comparitively today, even us boneheads do that. I also suspect that many if not most soldiers knew how to do basic sewing/mending.