Marathon 2011

[ouragos]

On the question of authenticity, the first step is to define the timeline. On this issue, call me a little unimaginative if you like but as the point seems to be to focus upon a specific time in history, would it not seem a little strange to then stretch the time forward another 150 years? That's like holding a commemorative at Bull Run and having people turning up dressed as serving marines in the Gulf today - together with Rough Riders, WW1, WW2, Korea... etc

Granted changes were more subtle in the C5th/4th b.c. but is stretching the timeline not missing the point and taking away one of the key drivers to get people there in the first place?

Possibly easy for me to say as I come from a country where there is lots of scope for different periods to represent, but there is over 2 years for people to focus on this if they want to be there and get appropriate kit.

On the issue of kit, authenticity is a biggie and how it is defined (if it is) and policed (as it will need to be if defined) become paramount. Thus clear guidelines will need to be set.

For example - steel helmets are wrong, very wrong. Unless painted of course. Brass is generally, widely acceptable but copper isn't right. Also, stlyle... anyone looked at the volume of 'trojan' corinthians and '300' corinthians out there. Then there is period of use, which dictates pattern.

Chiton's, well how many T-shirt sleeved ones are out there - and that is blatantly wrong. How many made from cotton - wrong, etc.

Swords - well let's not go there other than to point at a wide array of commercial 'greek' swords which are really designed to be pretty, not right (by any real stratch of the imagination - other than, perhaps, in holywood).

Armour - another biggie. Leather? I think there is a massive discussion on this already. Footwear, would you accept modern sandals? If so, which ones?

Amazingly though, aspides should not be a problem - there should be a reasonable commercial model available soon for around €150 (guessing at the price but it shouldn't be far out). However, to what degree would the shield design be important?... and having spent a considerable time painting yours, would you be prepared to overpaint it... particularly if you have a lamda on the front???

This list goes on and on and is a minefield BUT if I was inspired by the opportunity, determined to be there and having time to prepare I would want to get something right - not turn up and feel wrong.

Right, by the way, does not have to mean more expensive. It simply requires some thought.

Anyway, my twopenne'th.