06-06-2010, 08:31 AM
I always find it intriguing that Paul of Tarsus was a tent-maker, and came from Tarsus - a place where goat-hair was used extensively in manufacture.
From the intarweb: Every Jewish boy learned a trade — his was tent-making or more properly tent-cloth weaving. He was likely a weaver of the course goats-hair cloth known as "Cilicium," a name derived from the province of Cilicia where Tarsus was located. The felt-like cloth was preferred for tents and sails because of its toughness and the way it withstood weather. Like canvas, it was airy enough to allow air to escape in hot weather, yet in the rain the goat's hair swelled up and became waterproof. Bedouin throughout the Middle East still use it for their tents. The manufacture of this material was his means of support during his missionary travels.
Just interests me!
I'm particularly interested in the late Roman tent, and there are one or two examples of simple sheets thrown over uprights (I use a spear and two javelins - fighting man's kit). But the Deurne assemblage includes what appears to be a goatskin sheet which may well be one of these sheets, in goatskin not canvas. I think it is a Roman military tradition that perpetuated. A cheap way to manufacture shelters and tents.If I was 100% authentic, I'd be sleeping under a goatskin shelter, not a canvas one dye to look like leather.
From the intarweb: Every Jewish boy learned a trade — his was tent-making or more properly tent-cloth weaving. He was likely a weaver of the course goats-hair cloth known as "Cilicium," a name derived from the province of Cilicia where Tarsus was located. The felt-like cloth was preferred for tents and sails because of its toughness and the way it withstood weather. Like canvas, it was airy enough to allow air to escape in hot weather, yet in the rain the goat's hair swelled up and became waterproof. Bedouin throughout the Middle East still use it for their tents. The manufacture of this material was his means of support during his missionary travels.
Just interests me!
I'm particularly interested in the late Roman tent, and there are one or two examples of simple sheets thrown over uprights (I use a spear and two javelins - fighting man's kit). But the Deurne assemblage includes what appears to be a goatskin sheet which may well be one of these sheets, in goatskin not canvas. I think it is a Roman military tradition that perpetuated. A cheap way to manufacture shelters and tents.If I was 100% authentic, I'd be sleeping under a goatskin shelter, not a canvas one dye to look like leather.
Paul Elliott
Legions in Crisis
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/17815...d_i=468294
Charting the Third Century military crisis - with a focus on the change in weapons and tactics.
Legions in Crisis
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/17815...d_i=468294
Charting the Third Century military crisis - with a focus on the change in weapons and tactics.
