09-17-2003, 04:35 PM
Ok, are you LA Legions being affected by Hollywood's Black and brown Roman armour or what?<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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?<hr><br>
<br>
Interesting, yet I don't know exactly how a car is made either. But because I live in contemporary times pertaining to when a car is made, I can tell you that they consist of an engine, carburator/fuel injector, alternator, uni-body frame construction, poly composite body parts, rubber tires, etc. etc. I can also give you a rough idea about the entire construction process, because I live in <em>these</em> times. My description, while not using jargon, but rather terms for a "lay man", would be fairly accurate.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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?? <hr><br>
<br>
For someone that studies military tactics (military historian) and has chronicled the battles, I'd say that it's a safe bet that a fair bit of knowledge regarding all things military would be a requirement, yes? Do you think these works then, if based on pure speculation and a lack of knowledge, would be at the forefront of Roman military history? I doubt if these were "shoddy" works, that their chance for survival into modern eras would be slim to none, simply because they would have no value. No one would have kept them.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>When they describe shining helmets does that mean that segmentatas were also shiny or for that matter burnished to a bare metal finish? <hr><br>
<br>
I posted previously that a satin finish can have a great shine if it's a bright sunny day. I'd even say it has a light finish in little light. Apparently no one read that, so there it is again. There were also references to shining "Arms and armour", which I think we can all agree means the entire panoply, not bits and pieces.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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....???<hr><br>
<br>
No we dont' know the extent of tinning yet. Too many maybe's in the rest of that statement though Sean...let's stick to what we know.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>Until we collect a data base regarding segmentatas made of iron we can only speculate about the wear and care and appearance of them.<hr><br>
<br>
Partly true, because until we find evidence that says <em>otherwise</em>, we know without over interpreting the evidence, that the end result of the finish of the armour was SHINY.<br>
<br>
It seems to me that some people here are thinking too much about this. This creates a mini-story in one's mind, where all these fancy what if's and maybe's spring into being.<br>
Have a bit more faith in the literary/artistic evidence, until we otherwise are told or find something different. <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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?<hr><br>
<br>
Interesting, yet I don't know exactly how a car is made either. But because I live in contemporary times pertaining to when a car is made, I can tell you that they consist of an engine, carburator/fuel injector, alternator, uni-body frame construction, poly composite body parts, rubber tires, etc. etc. I can also give you a rough idea about the entire construction process, because I live in <em>these</em> times. My description, while not using jargon, but rather terms for a "lay man", would be fairly accurate.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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?? <hr><br>
<br>
For someone that studies military tactics (military historian) and has chronicled the battles, I'd say that it's a safe bet that a fair bit of knowledge regarding all things military would be a requirement, yes? Do you think these works then, if based on pure speculation and a lack of knowledge, would be at the forefront of Roman military history? I doubt if these were "shoddy" works, that their chance for survival into modern eras would be slim to none, simply because they would have no value. No one would have kept them.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>When they describe shining helmets does that mean that segmentatas were also shiny or for that matter burnished to a bare metal finish? <hr><br>
<br>
I posted previously that a satin finish can have a great shine if it's a bright sunny day. I'd even say it has a light finish in little light. Apparently no one read that, so there it is again. There were also references to shining "Arms and armour", which I think we can all agree means the entire panoply, not bits and pieces.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>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....???<hr><br>
<br>
No we dont' know the extent of tinning yet. Too many maybe's in the rest of that statement though Sean...let's stick to what we know.<br>
<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>Until we collect a data base regarding segmentatas made of iron we can only speculate about the wear and care and appearance of them.<hr><br>
<br>
Partly true, because until we find evidence that says <em>otherwise</em>, we know without over interpreting the evidence, that the end result of the finish of the armour was SHINY.<br>
<br>
It seems to me that some people here are thinking too much about this. This creates a mini-story in one's mind, where all these fancy what if's and maybe's spring into being.<br>
Have a bit more faith in the literary/artistic evidence, until we otherwise are told or find something different. <p></p><i></i>
