Puzzouli(Puteoli) Relief

[Martin Moser]

Hi Travis,

first let me thank you for bringing up this thread - it makes me think again about all kinds of details with caligae and revise and - hopefully - refine my knowledge on them!

Actually that's exactly what I thought! It looks like a low cut caligae to allow the ankle bone free movement, but above that it looks like pretty solid straps. Anybody seen a caligae like this in the archaeological record?

While we know about the existance of "cut-off" style caligae, I still think it is just an "ordinary" caliga that we see here, though maybe with a sock underneath, compare to the one from the Cancelleria relief:



When you step back from the screen far enough so that you can't make out the details anymore, the upper part looks not unlike your picture IMHO. W/o a better picture I certainly can't say anything for sure, though.

What's your take on the ankle?

Hm, interesting question - in fact, I took it pretty much for granted that that would be a normal way to cut it (as I do w/ my reconstructions, for what that's worth). I would not put a strap that I want to pull tight to give the foot a good hold *over* a high spot (i.e. the ankle bone), as its natural tendency would then be to slip up or downwards due to the movement of the foot to where the foot is more slender and result in less hold for the foot. Rather lead the straps below and over that spot and that is just what the caligae do. For that there are also examples from actual finds, some not with such a pronounced upward curve to the heel as in your picture but in others I think it is recognisable, as e.g. with this find from Mainz:



One more interesting thing about the Cancelleria relief (which Matt L and myself have been discussing these last days - hi Matt!): if you take a good look at the heel section there - it seems like it has an extra layer
over the back seam to protect it and as though that layer also folds in
under the heel somehow. If this were to be sewn in and/or held by the
nails it would add extra stability to the whole heel area. Only noticed this detail a few days ago and yesterday as I went through Göpfrich's book on the Mainz finds again I found this:



This goes a long way to explain how to make the heel section to better
bear the stress that works on it when walking I think I'm
pretty sure the interpretation of that piece as an elongation of the
leather strip that covers/protects the back seam is correct, given the
stiching holes visible there.

BTW - I've been reading your thread on the reconstruction of the Valkenburg/Castleford. Neat stuff!

Thanks, I hope I'll find the time to update it tomorrow as there has been some progress ...

[Flavius Promotus]

Flavius Promotus wrote:
Strange how thin this carrying strap is. And the ones seen on Trajan's column are not broader, either.
Why did they not use broader carrying straps to spread the pressure from the weight over a larger surface?


Yeah, that's what you'd think but I often find Romans did thinks the hard way just out of tradition. I think it might have to do with the way he's carrying it, slung over a finger, it's an utterly casual moment.

Maybe they didn't carry the shield over long enough distances to be bothered, but you think they would.

Puzzling, ain't it?

Indeed, very puzzling. I think it's plain possible to hold a shield like this for some time, but not for too long - after several hours your index finger would probably look like a banana bent backwards hock:

About *broad carrying straps, I once used a very thin one (with roughly the width as can be seen on the Puteoli relief and on Trajan's column) and it was very uncomfortable. I then added a broad piece of leather to the strap and this was a real progress (although the authenticity can be disputed).

One of the legionaries from the VIII Augusta (A. Zimmermann) seems to use a similar method - unless my eyes deceive me:



The legionary on the left with the pilum in his left hand. Are those brown patches on his shoulders carrying straps with rectangular leather pieces added to them? They look a little like outlandish leather pieces for the lorica, but I don't think this is the case.

[Martin Moser]

The legionary on the left with the pilum in his left hand. Are those brown patches on his shoulders carrying straps with rectangular leather pieces added to them? They look a little like outlandish leather pieces for the lorica, but I don't think this is the case.

Hm, I don't remember clearly, but I think you are right about broadened carrying straps. Would have to ask him to be sure though.

The guy in the middle is me btw :-) )

[Flavius Promotus]

The guy in the middle is me btw

Ah! That's why he looked so familiar :lol:

If I may ask, did you directly tie the carrying straps to the scutum grip, or did you fix extra suspension rings to the scutum board?

[Martin Moser]

In my experience slinging the carrying straps around the handle two or three times creates enough friction to prevent the scutum from sliping down despite the movement.

[Flavius Promotus]

Just my experience! I use a simple knot and it works. Removing the straps is a matter of moments.

Have you already tried to carry the shield with one strap running diagonally over the chest?

Greets!

[Tarbicus]

Here's a view of the shield strap of the soldier on the left, see how he hooks his index finger through it.

Travis, is it certain that's the strap for his shield? Perhaps, with the absence of a furca, it's a strap for a bag of provisions, and the shield suspension is hidden? That said, is the strap across his chest part of his paenula, or could it be part of the shield suspension?

link from old RAT

Scutum carrying strap thread

[Flavius Promotus]

I would say the strap he holds with his index finger is definitely the/a shield carrying strap. In the way he carries his shield there would be not much space for a bag of provisions between the shield and his back.

And the 'strap' on his chest - couldn't it be just two cracks in the stone? Compared to the straight and even strap running over his left shoulder, the two lines running horizontally over his chest appear very wrinkled.
(Tarbicus, I hope not to appear meddlesome :oops: )

[Optio equitum]

Perhaps the finger strap is to steady and balance the weight? The main rigging is hidden, and the finger strap controls the rig. For those that have carried a backpack/rucksack, holding the shoulder straps helping to steady the load and just to give your hands something to do on a march.

[Tarbicus]

I would say the strap he holds with his index finger is definitely the/a shield carrying strap. In the way he carries his shield there would be not much space for a bag of provisions between the shield and his back.
And the 'strap' on his chest - couldn't it be just two cracks in the stone? Compared to the straight and even strap running over his left shoulder, the two lines running horizontally over his chest appear very wrinkled.

Good point, and the crack does seem to extend leftward. I'm shot down in flames

(Tarbicus, I hope not to appear meddlesome :oops: )

No way! hock: Glad you did!

Perhaps the finger strap is to steady and balance the weight? The main rigging is hidden, and the finger strap controls the rig. For those that have carried a backpack/rucksack, holding the shoulder straps helping to steady the load and just to give your hands something to do on a march.

Another good point. Back to the drawing board...

[tlclark]

Perhaps the finger strap is to steady and balance the weight? The main rigging is hidden, and the finger strap controls the rig. For those that have carried a backpack/rucksack, holding the shoulder straps helping to steady the load and just to give your hands something to do on a march.

Or we are just catching him at a casual moment. Rather than on the march he's just carrying the shield from one spot to another on a short trip, and rather than go to the hassle of pulling it over a shoulder he just hooks it over the finger.

Travis

[Optio equitum]

Exactly TL. If there is one thing I learned as a grunt, is rig your gear as comfortable as you can, cause it's not getting any lighter!

[Crispvs]

The straps of my own shield harness are a similar width to the one shown in the sculpture. Rather than wrapping them around the shield handle I buckle both front and back straps around it. This also provides a very secure carriage which results satisfactorily in a lack of movement on the handle.
As to the finger hooked through the strap, it is something I did frequently myself when marching Hadrian's wall. On one hand it gives you something to do with your hand rather than hold onto the furca of the impedimenta all of the time (which sits quite nicely on the shoulder on its own much of the time) and on the other hand it allows you to rest the arm a little by moving it into a different opsition and have the harness take some of the weight of the arm.
Incidentally, I note that many re-enactors try to carry their shields on their backs. All three sculptures I know of which depict shields being carried on the march, namely Trajan's column, the picture above and this column base from Mainz:

show them curving around the left shoulder, which is where mine hangs. As long as it is carried high enough it does not get in the way and the handle and strap buckles are easily accessable if it needs to be unslung in a hurry.

"Interesting scabbard:
http://www.freewebtown.com/italica/ital ... raet04.jpg "

The end of the scabbard is damaged so we cannot be sure of what it originally looked like, but the side guttering and sinuous decoration is comparable with the scabbards shown on the Tropaeum Traiani at Adamklissi.

Crispvs

[Flavius Promotus]

All three sculptures I know of which depict shields being carried on the march, namely Trajan's column, the picture above and this column base from Mainz:

There's even a fourth sculpture: one of the reliefs from the Tropaeum Traiani also shows the shield being carried on the side.

On the other hand, I once had an exchange of ideas with Yves Ruettiman (XI Claudia). He insists on the back method and says it works very successfully for his group. In contrast, he is anything but fond of the side method.
VIII Augusta (the Alexander Zimmermann group) also carry their shields on their backs - obviously without too many problems (see image a few posts above). And of course there's our Florentius from VI Valeria Victrix, who also carries the scutum on his back.

So I would say technically speaking both methods can be used with success (and enough preparation) - but which one was used by the Romans??? Iconography clearly hints at the side method, but maybe they used both methods? (not simultaneously of course :lol: )

Furthermore, the abovementioned sculptures only show curved rectangular scuta (I don't count parmae), but the Dura ovals are probably easier to be carried on the back (I have never carried one and therefore still lack experience, but I know of other 'Romans' where it definitely worked).

[tlclark]

The end of the scabbard is damaged so we cannot be sure of what it originally looked like, but the side guttering and sinuous decoration is comparable with the scabbards shown on the Tropaeum Traiani at Adamklissi.

Crispvs

Arrrgh! I surrender!! The Adamklissi monument does indeed have many "Italicisms" only known from other examples of art of the peninsula.

I give up. The more I look the more I am convinced. Whatever ritual I need to perform to publically eat crow for all my prior hostility to the adamklissi motifs I will duly perform to any's satisfaction and I repent all my former harsh words.

Penitently,

Travis Lee Clark :wink: