10-04-2006, 06:54 PM
Looks like Crispus beat me to it! The article is in ARMA: Newsletter of the Roman Military Equipment Conference, Vol. 10, pp. 2-5, "Vindonissa (Windisch, AG-Switzerland): A Gladius with a Relief Decorated Sheath and Belt Pieces from the Legionary Camp", by Eckhard Deschler-Erb. There's also a photo of that plate, and another like it, in the Vindonissa catalog.
It's a REALLY COOL plate!! Like to make some myself, some day, perhaps. But it's sort of openwork, not just a design stamped into a rectangular plate, so it's possible that it isn't even a belt plate but a decoration for something else. Don't know!
I am a little leery about the reconstruction of the belt and suspension system in the article. As you can see, the buckle found is actually the hinged pieces like a lorica segmentata buckle, with the actual buckle loop missing. It is reconstructed as being used on a strap, threaded through the 4 scabbard rings in an X fashion and buckling to itself. But I don't know if that whole hinged buckle would even fit in that space! I think its more likely just a stray lorica buckle.
Likewise, the "double loop fastener" shown in that drawing (looks like a pugio frog) is a common cloak fastener, and probably wasn't used on a belt at all.
But that's just me! It IS very tempting to make a belt out of a half-dozen mismatched plates--I've got those lying around!
Valete,
Matthew
It's a REALLY COOL plate!! Like to make some myself, some day, perhaps. But it's sort of openwork, not just a design stamped into a rectangular plate, so it's possible that it isn't even a belt plate but a decoration for something else. Don't know!
I am a little leery about the reconstruction of the belt and suspension system in the article. As you can see, the buckle found is actually the hinged pieces like a lorica segmentata buckle, with the actual buckle loop missing. It is reconstructed as being used on a strap, threaded through the 4 scabbard rings in an X fashion and buckling to itself. But I don't know if that whole hinged buckle would even fit in that space! I think its more likely just a stray lorica buckle.
Likewise, the "double loop fastener" shown in that drawing (looks like a pugio frog) is a common cloak fastener, and probably wasn't used on a belt at all.
But that's just me! It IS very tempting to make a belt out of a half-dozen mismatched plates--I've got those lying around!
Valete,
Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
