08-14-2006, 03:17 PM
Quote:a lorica hamata with triangles
It appears that the only reference we have for 'dagged' mail shirts are the Columns. No archaeological examples of this pattern have been found.
A regular straight-hemmed shirt is fine.
As for the appearance of the auxlilia of Trajan; In the year 99 AD, Trajan brought his Equites Singulari Augusti to Rome. He ensured that when they entered the city, they looked as 'Roman' as possible. They wore short-sleeved tunics and knee-length feminalia. This suggests that when in the field, the soldiers preferred or reverted to a more 'national' dress. i.e. long trousers and long sleeved tunics.
Long-sleeved tunics, some with turned-back cuffs can be seen being worn by a few cavalrymen on their tombstones.