09-03-2007, 10:02 PM
Fraters,
When I was involved in US Civil War reenacting there was a debate on where it was proper to wear your leather gear (traps). It was a sign of a "newbie" to see the leathers worn like a "gun slinger" way down low on the hip. Research and photos from the period show that leathers were worn high on the hip and around the natural waist. Soldiers learned leathers worn high kept them from "flopping" when at a run and took some of the load of a fully loaded cartridge box.
But now I have "advanced" into the world of Roman living history and have a wonder along a similar line, but dealing with the placement of the gladius. Looking at photos of reenactors (knowing most are not a good basis for research or documentation), is there any thought on the wearing of the gladius. I have found pic after pic of reenactors wearing their baltus and gladius al la "gun-slinger"....
I'm not debating the left v. right placement, but I'm looking for grave steles or other monuments that I can use as documentation for the wearing of the gladius. I found one, the stele Caius Valerius Crispus of Legio VIII Augusta. but would like to find others with a clear view of the sword.
Also, have any groups experimented with the drawing of the gladius placed high or low?
Any and all help will be welcome!
When I was involved in US Civil War reenacting there was a debate on where it was proper to wear your leather gear (traps). It was a sign of a "newbie" to see the leathers worn like a "gun slinger" way down low on the hip. Research and photos from the period show that leathers were worn high on the hip and around the natural waist. Soldiers learned leathers worn high kept them from "flopping" when at a run and took some of the load of a fully loaded cartridge box.
But now I have "advanced" into the world of Roman living history and have a wonder along a similar line, but dealing with the placement of the gladius. Looking at photos of reenactors (knowing most are not a good basis for research or documentation), is there any thought on the wearing of the gladius. I have found pic after pic of reenactors wearing their baltus and gladius al la "gun-slinger"....
I'm not debating the left v. right placement, but I'm looking for grave steles or other monuments that I can use as documentation for the wearing of the gladius. I found one, the stele Caius Valerius Crispus of Legio VIII Augusta. but would like to find others with a clear view of the sword.
Also, have any groups experimented with the drawing of the gladius placed high or low?
Any and all help will be welcome!
Roman Name: Gaius Marcius Gracilis
AKA: Mark Headlee
AKA: Mark Headlee
