09-08-2013, 05:43 AM
Quote:Can 9people fit (8 men, + one calo) in an ordinary Roman tent, with equipment, if everyone spoons?
According to Hyginus' description of a contubernium layout, 5 pedes (Roman feet) of space directly in front of the tent is reserved for arms; the next 9 pedes for baggage. The bulkier equipment would not be stored inside the tent.
When my unit comrades and I are quartered in a Roman camp set up this way, we lay 2 scuta next to each other flat on the ground transversely just in front of the papillio; on top of these 2 scuta are placed 4 helmets and 4 lorica; over the top of these are placed 2 more scuta with their leather covers (which are waxed or oiled to be waterproof). This makes a rainproof "shed" which keeps everything relatively dry. The same arrangement is repeated on the other side. (we usually have extra loaner gear to make 8 sets). This leaves a space of about 5 feet clear in the middle for entering and leaving the tent. Pila can be planted upright next to the scuta or laid down lengthwise along the outside edge of the contubernium space.
In the next 9 feet of space we store entrenching tools and items that were probably packed on the mule, such as the handmill and cooking grate.
I can't say that this is exactly the way it was done, but it fits within the parameters of the evidence.
As far as the calones go, I could only speculate as to where and how they slept. They may have stayed closer to the mules on the picket line under simpler shelter and not tried to squeeze in the 8 man tents. But if everyone spoons on their sides, instead of all laying on their backs as depicted in the van Driel Murray sketch, another body could probably fit in. If the numbers are right at my next event, I will ask for volunteers to lay in the tent too see if this is within practical physical limits.
