08-27-2013, 10:12 AM
Quote: I doubt anyone but the Emperor would have had thier entire helm guilded.Yet this is the case. Every part (rivets included) of LR helmets (but one) were wrapped in a very thin sheet of (gilded) silver. The semi-free craftsmen who did this were called barbaricarii, who worked in the state-controlled production centres (fabricae). The amount of precious metal is sometimes inscribed in a helmet, and the barbaricarius who added too little or too much gold could face the death penalty.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)