06-20-2008, 03:16 PM
Quote:Hi, is anyone familiar with that passage from Cassius Dio, where Commodus (I think) reconstructed his 16,000man strong Macedonian phalanx, which he equipped according to all the standard equipment, which included among things a leather helmet...
Hi
I do not often stray into the Greek section but I am familiar with the passage you are interested in. The Emperor was Caracalla not Commodus and as he was a fan of Alexander he recreated a Macedonian Phalanax for his intended Persian campaign, well it had worked for Alexander so why not him too.
The description is by Cassius Dio who was at one time a military governor so he should know what he is talking about with regards to military equipment. Linen cuirass and leather helmet. It may not have been what the Macedonians actually wore but more like what 3rd century Romans thought they wore!
I did a reconstruction of a 'Phalangite' in Roman military Clothing 2 which was based on a contemporary mosaic figure from Tunisia which uncannily matches the description by Cassius. Art copying reality or reality copying art? Who knows but it was fun to do.
Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
