04-19-2011, 08:54 AM
I understand that the Early-Mid Imperial Legionary used a belt (balteus militare) to secure his gladius hanging from the baldric, and to hold the pugio, should he have one, but what purpose did the hanging parts of the belt do (I want to call these leather straps decorated with metals cingululum, but I am not sure if that is correct, please inform me). What purpose did these hanging strips do?
I recently bought a belt for reenactment, and I can see little purpose for them, as they bounce of my legs, and clank off each other and make noise. Someone suggested in another thread that the balteus often was made of expensive metals (such as the Herculaneum soldier's belt, which was made of silver I believe), with the purpose being a simple and elegant way to keep your wealth secure, which you could cash in at the end of your service.
Still, the last thing I would want to wear on top of 90lbs of equipment and armor is a heavy belt dangling at my legs. Theories or answers anyone?
I recently bought a belt for reenactment, and I can see little purpose for them, as they bounce of my legs, and clank off each other and make noise. Someone suggested in another thread that the balteus often was made of expensive metals (such as the Herculaneum soldier's belt, which was made of silver I believe), with the purpose being a simple and elegant way to keep your wealth secure, which you could cash in at the end of your service.
Still, the last thing I would want to wear on top of 90lbs of equipment and armor is a heavy belt dangling at my legs. Theories or answers anyone?
Quintus Furius Collatinus
-Matt
-Matt
