Caligae

[Tarbicus]

but similarly how much protection do caligae offer the wearer? They don't strike me as obvious combat footwear or does the Scutum prevent stamped/trodden toes?

If you thread the thonging so that the top edges meet flat on, rather than criss-cross each other, you end up with up to a one inch ridge running from your toes to the bottom of your shin. It's possible that would act similarly to a crest or ridge on a helmet, and at least reduce harm if your foot was stepped on.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

That is how they appear to be tied on TC and most carving tha tshows caligae. I dropped a pugio on my foot during a charge, and it was pretty well absorbed. Mind you, the point may have made a different impression.... :lol:

[Martin Moser]

The hobnails must have been terrifying to be on the wrong side of, but similarly how much protection do caligae offer the wearer?

Not much I'd say. Obviously they didn't see the need for that. Nor for sword arm protection for most of the Roman era. The same is true for their enemies and for many armies both before or after them.
Armor I think always is and was a compromise out of wearability, protection, technical feasability and cost (and maybe more). Most of the time the outcome of this equation leaves room for somebody else to put a swordpoint in ....

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

...given the accounts of civilians being left with facial caligae patterns after altercations with soldiers.

Interesting! I am researching interaction between Roman soldiers and civilians - do you happen to have the references?

Thank you,

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

There is a new book out on that subject.....can't recall the details offhand.

[Tarbicus]

Interesting! I am researching interaction between Roman soldiers and civilians - do you happen to have the references?

Not off the top of my head, sorry. Do a bit of searching on RAT where it's been discussed before. The whole thing could swing the other way, quite literally. There's a recent mention of a soldier trying to take something from a farmer (?), for which the farmer gave him an utter trouncing. :wink:

[Neuraleanus]

(exception: Neuraleanus, you can find a pic of his somewhere in this thread)

Pictures of my caligae may be found at:

[url:2an2ff2o]http://www.geocities.com/legio_tricesima_cohors_tres/campusMartis/MakingCaligae/MakingAuthenticCaligae.html[/url]

It took me several attempts to figure out how to make these just for myself. I'm just now starting the process of making a pair for someone else and it's taking me awhile to get the cutting pattern right. I'll keep everyone posted on how this turns out. If this works out I may consider making more.

[Marcus Mummius]

http://www.iotcusa.com/cgi/dir/query.pl?...&pagenum=2

India Overseas Trading; their prices are amazing, especialy when you buy something by the case! Their selection is worth a look.

Those calligae are the same incorrect pattern as deepeeka sells...

Has anyone ever done any bussiness with these guys? There are a few helmets and other items that seem, regarding their low price, very interesting for heavy modification.

Vale,

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

Interesting! I am researching interaction between Roman soldiers and civilians - do you happen to have the references?

Not off the top of my head, sorry. Do a bit of searching on RAT where it's been discussed before. The whole thing could swing the other way, quite literally. There's a recent mention of a soldier trying to take something from a farmer (?), for which the farmer gave him an utter trouncing. :wink:

Got this- http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 2560#32560
and this - http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 888#164888

but no specific references. Juvenal in Sat. 16 speaks generally of absurdity of "offending all those heavy boots and all those thousands of hobnails," but I would love to see the text mentioning the pattern being imprinted on someone's body part... :lol:

The account with the farmer - or the gardener - is from Apuleius, Met. 9.39ff. - the guy took the soldier by the legs by surprise (pretending he was about to beg for mercy), threw him on the ground, and bit him up while he was down. The gardener was found, arrested, and probably executed afterwards - that should have taught him the lesson! :wink:

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Those calligae are the same incorrect pattern as deepeeka sells...

Not only that, I believe they are exactly the same ones.