03-12-2006, 01:36 AM
"a variety of colours, with no particular specialty or function?"
Well, as I said, we simply don't know.
"As regards greaves, visibly worn by legionaries on the Adamklissi metopes, it looks like this id for a centurion had fallen away by the Dacian wars? Also, as a practical way of identifying an officer, it strikes me that a transverse crest would be much more effective than ducking down to look for shin protectors (probably not advised if faced by a Dacian falxman)"
The greaves worn by the infantry on the Adamklissi metopes appear to be 'short', ending below the knee, as is (so I understand) the greave found in Chichester harbour. This findspot, incidentally, indicates a strong probability of it having been deposited in the mid first century AD. The greaves shown on centuriones' stelae are 'long', coming up to cover the knees. Therefore the presence of one does not necessarily negate the presence of the other. Again (as far as I know), we just don't know. The retention of the transverse crest is certainly an attractive idea. It's just that again, we are lacking the evidence to say it for certain.
Crispvs
Well, as I said, we simply don't know.
"As regards greaves, visibly worn by legionaries on the Adamklissi metopes, it looks like this id for a centurion had fallen away by the Dacian wars? Also, as a practical way of identifying an officer, it strikes me that a transverse crest would be much more effective than ducking down to look for shin protectors (probably not advised if faced by a Dacian falxman)"
The greaves worn by the infantry on the Adamklissi metopes appear to be 'short', ending below the knee, as is (so I understand) the greave found in Chichester harbour. This findspot, incidentally, indicates a strong probability of it having been deposited in the mid first century AD. The greaves shown on centuriones' stelae are 'long', coming up to cover the knees. Therefore the presence of one does not necessarily negate the presence of the other. Again (as far as I know), we just don't know. The retention of the transverse crest is certainly an attractive idea. It's just that again, we are lacking the evidence to say it for certain.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
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