Sarmatian origins of the spatha?

[Alanus]

Back to you, Robert
Good grief, I'm still logged in. :lol: Must have forgotten to log out.

Yes, we are mostly in agreement in the longer paragraph. As you said, a group of foederati employed for a single campaign would retain native weapons and armor. A good example would be the 10,000 Goths used by Theodosius against Eugenius. After the battle of Frigidus, they were released and went back home (Aleric in a black mood, which would have lasting consequences).

I agree about weapons being phased out. However, the continued use of longer swords, c. late 2nd and early 3rd cent., probably accounts for the Roman adoption of the spatha. Certainly, the Romans were aware of long swords-- the weapons had lengthy histories in Celtic warfare going back to Vercingetorix and beyond. Yet it wasn't until the influx of Sarmatian (and here I mean "Alanic")recruits that we find the longer sword in regular service. And here, too, it may be likely that the native spatha, more like a jian, actually, was coveted over the lesser tempered ones produced in the fabricae. (Recent evidence points to these steppe weapons being made of folded steel, based on newer techniques of metal analysis.)

But the helmets were likely replaced with Roman ones, as you've mentioned.

Basically, I'm urging George Sempronius to follow through with as "Sarmatianish" gear as he might be able to kit himself. In essence, he would be portarying a short-time foedoratus. After all, this is the "Show Your Sarmatian Imperssion" thread. My point in starting it was simply trying to play "catch up" with the other native costume/equipment threads, the Germanic and Celtic ones being far older and more popular. :wink: