This is an incredible thread. I'm amazed at the attention to detail and the passion you all have for the reconstructions.
I had one question. I see the gladius handles are a very light colored wood. What kind of wood is this? I'm assuming this is the wood they used in the period?
Thanks
Chris
Quote:I hate you Robert
I love the impression, I really want to see it offered in a wider range of colors. White and purple notably :whistle:
:grin: :grin: :grin:
More colours are on offer, white, blue, reds, browns, green, you name it. Purple, I have no doubt, can be an option but remember that, if you did not belong to the Imperial familly, purple table cloths could already be a reason to be arrested for treason.
Robert Vermaat MODERATOR FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
I must disagree with Agrimensor on the handles of swords. They were either completely made of wood or completly made of bone (or ivory) or a wood-bone-wood combination. Very few bronze handles have been found, these are excremely rare, but do exist. The wood-bone-wood is however NOT the standard, as we have come to believe. That is a bit of a re-enactorisme. Darker hardwoods were not often used, but cherry is known. Almost all wooden parts recovered were of the light coloured varieties, like holly and boxwood, recently a complete 2de cent. spatha was found in The Netherlands (De Meern, Utrecht) which had a full linden wood handle. I am presently making a replica of that find :-) In the third century, we start seeing a lot of combinations of materials and fully metal clad wooden cores.
The photos were taken at Military Through The Ages, Jamestown Settlement. This was my first reenactment event. The equipment that i have on is loaned by my unit Legio IX Hispania.