12-21-2004, 09:20 AM
Jasper,<br>
<br>
Thanks. Rankov makes some good points -particularly on oared vessels given his personal experience. But his argument does not negate the whole chapter- simply the parts he chooses to comment on. For example the description of the weapons in a later chapter- which (for me at least ) has an immediacy that I do not get in earlier chapters remains unnegated.<br>
Secondly, re the blue tunics and sails. Rankov negates the reason given by Vegetius for the sails and tunics being blue as camoflage would not work. This simply proves that Vegetius gave an incorrect explanation. It neither proves nor disproves that marines and sailors wore blue. There would be a high possibility that Vegetius would get a colour right (personal observation?) - but whether he got the rationale right is a different thing. I doubt if I tried to give the reason why modern day army tunic desert camoflage is the way it is that I would get it right!<br>
An alternative is , of course, that both description and rationale are wrong, and that Vegetius simply liked the story.<br>
So- blue tunics and sails remain a possibility.<br>
<br>
The central question for me is still- were Marines (as a specialist unit, with particular training, as opposed to legionaries being put on a boat and told to do what they could) in existence between Ad1 and AD 350? My view would be yes (probably!).<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Paul<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Thanks. Rankov makes some good points -particularly on oared vessels given his personal experience. But his argument does not negate the whole chapter- simply the parts he chooses to comment on. For example the description of the weapons in a later chapter- which (for me at least ) has an immediacy that I do not get in earlier chapters remains unnegated.<br>
Secondly, re the blue tunics and sails. Rankov negates the reason given by Vegetius for the sails and tunics being blue as camoflage would not work. This simply proves that Vegetius gave an incorrect explanation. It neither proves nor disproves that marines and sailors wore blue. There would be a high possibility that Vegetius would get a colour right (personal observation?) - but whether he got the rationale right is a different thing. I doubt if I tried to give the reason why modern day army tunic desert camoflage is the way it is that I would get it right!<br>
An alternative is , of course, that both description and rationale are wrong, and that Vegetius simply liked the story.<br>
So- blue tunics and sails remain a possibility.<br>
<br>
The central question for me is still- were Marines (as a specialist unit, with particular training, as opposed to legionaries being put on a boat and told to do what they could) in existence between Ad1 and AD 350? My view would be yes (probably!).<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Paul<br>
<p></p><i></i>
