Reenactment Legion Uniformity vs Variety

[Alanus]

Hailog thein,

I would think Christian is correct in noting that no ancient army could be precisely "uniform." Perhaps what has been described as "uniform" was actually "conforming" to identification. In the ancient Persian ranks, each unit had identifying characteristics. The Chalybes, for instance, had helmets affixed with bull's horns and ears, all in brass. They also had red leggings. Obviously the leggings varied with the quality of wool and dye lot, yet it was still red. The helmets-- evidently the Viking helmets that the Vikings never wore-- must have had some variation.
"Hey, wait a moment! Your bull ears are longer than mine!"
Nonetheless all the helmets had ears and horns, while the those of the Medes did not. This is a case of conforming identification but not true uniformity. With all the different items fabricated in the Roman Empire, some in Epirus, others in Gaul, we would find conformity, not uniformity.

Hasta Lavista,

Alanus, the old fart tyro

Alan J. Campbell
Legio III Cyrenaica, Maine, USA