Was the Lorica REALLY polished?

[Hibernicus]

My concern with ?scholasticism? derives from interpretation.<br>
<br>
Example ?Did the scholars who translated the terms (previously quoted in Sander?s post) that describe the appearance of Roman armor have a knowledge of iron and smithing segmentata plates?? If they knew what we know about smithing iron (not steel) into segmentata plates would they have translated the terms differently?<br>
<br>
Did the ancient chroniclers who described Roman armor know anything about the manufacture and care of segmentata armor? If they did have such knowledge did polishing mean ?burnishing bare metal? or did it mean ?oiling and/or waxing??<br>
<br>
When they describe shining helmets does that mean that segmentatas were also shiny or for that matter burnished to a bare metal finish?<br>
<br>
And we still don?t know if segmentatas were tinned.. or maybe the first segmentatas were kept forge black or that maybe some Legatus in AD 75 decided that he preferred burnished iron....???<br>
<br>
Our reenactor experiences with burnishing and keeping steel rust free are essentially irrelevant. Until we collect a data base regarding segmentatas made of iron we can only speculate about the wear and care and appearance of them.<br>
<br>
Salvete<br>
<br>
Sean Richards<br>
<br>
Gaius Valerius Tacitus Hibernicus, Centurio<br>
LEGIO IX HISPANA COH III EXPG CEN I HIB<br>
<br>
Vexillatio I: Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, Camp Pendelton<br>
Vexillatio II: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska<br>
Vexillatio III: Washington, Okinawa , Northern California<br>
<br>
www.legio-ix-hispana.org<br>
<br>
619.563.5700 PST 9am- 8pm, most days<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>