02-01-2015, 06:08 PM
Hello Petrus
Well, I have seen several types of re-enactor tunics and cloaks and yes you are right you could not move if you wore several layers of them. That is however because they are often incorrectly made from the wrong materials or to the wrong design.
Roman garments are much finer often larger and you should be able to wear more than one layer. That is what the sources tell us. If the material is too thick and bulky you also do not get the fine drapery which you can see in the sources you are too quick to dismiss. Cloaks were worn indoors as well as outside and sources mention summer and winter versions. As mentioned previously you could have a cloak with an under-cloak and an over-cloak.
Also I do not understand why you feel Roman depiction's of Roman garments are idealised but Roman depiction's of none Roman garments are authentic. Both should be treated with caution but they are all we have. As I mentioned above some Roman representations of natives show them naked! There is also a lot of sculptural sources from the Provinces not Rome which show winter clothing.
I am not claiming that legionaries lacked suitable appropriate cold weather gear but you are dismissing what the sources say they had. I would rather produce re-constructions which are based on archaeological evidence and supported by sculptural and written sources than resort to speculation which can take you down many roads.
Finally most Roman campaigns, like re-enactment events, sensibly took place in the summer!
I hope this helps.
Graham.
Well, I have seen several types of re-enactor tunics and cloaks and yes you are right you could not move if you wore several layers of them. That is however because they are often incorrectly made from the wrong materials or to the wrong design.
Roman garments are much finer often larger and you should be able to wear more than one layer. That is what the sources tell us. If the material is too thick and bulky you also do not get the fine drapery which you can see in the sources you are too quick to dismiss. Cloaks were worn indoors as well as outside and sources mention summer and winter versions. As mentioned previously you could have a cloak with an under-cloak and an over-cloak.
Also I do not understand why you feel Roman depiction's of Roman garments are idealised but Roman depiction's of none Roman garments are authentic. Both should be treated with caution but they are all we have. As I mentioned above some Roman representations of natives show them naked! There is also a lot of sculptural sources from the Provinces not Rome which show winter clothing.
I am not claiming that legionaries lacked suitable appropriate cold weather gear but you are dismissing what the sources say they had. I would rather produce re-constructions which are based on archaeological evidence and supported by sculptural and written sources than resort to speculation which can take you down many roads.
Finally most Roman campaigns, like re-enactment events, sensibly took place in the summer!
I hope this helps.
Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
