03-07-2008, 01:40 PM
Magnus,
Some of the dimensions had purpose, like the space between the ditch and the inner camp, that one was a little over expected javelin range, according to Polybius, so that intervallum space would be fairly fixed. Large camp or small, a javelin can only go so far. What that means is, the smaller the detachment of men, the greater proportionally they had to ditch.
I can't remember where I read it right now, maybe De Bello Gallico, but the ditch was said to be about six feet deep, six feet wide, and the berm inside about six more feet high. So that makes a 12 ft earth wall to clamber up on the inside. Could be rough going if there's many people on the inside intending to prevent your entry. If the angle of the dirt is reasonably expected not to erode, then the distance from the edge of the ditch to the top of the berm is too far to expect to place a scaling ladder, so it really does provide a fairly good barrier to foot soldier, and impossible for horse. Add a foot or two of rainwater and mud in the bottom, and that's that.
Do you want to make your scutum boss, or get one elsewhere? For kids that young, making one would be a formidable task, but buying a commercially produced one will likely cost you forty or fifty dollars with freight. Where are you located? Maybe some reenactor nearby can help you out. If that fails, PM me and I'll see what I can scratch up for you, in exchange for some pictures of your groma, perhaps.
Once in a while, there are metal bowls at the second hand stores that can be modified. Otherwise, I could give you a tutorial on making them or something. Problem is, a scutum is curved, and the curve of the backplate/flange has to match fairly well, if you expect the thing to work at all. You can't easily start with a "bowl" and a flat flange and expect to curve the flange. A clipeus would be a much easier first project, imho.
Some of the dimensions had purpose, like the space between the ditch and the inner camp, that one was a little over expected javelin range, according to Polybius, so that intervallum space would be fairly fixed. Large camp or small, a javelin can only go so far. What that means is, the smaller the detachment of men, the greater proportionally they had to ditch.
I can't remember where I read it right now, maybe De Bello Gallico, but the ditch was said to be about six feet deep, six feet wide, and the berm inside about six more feet high. So that makes a 12 ft earth wall to clamber up on the inside. Could be rough going if there's many people on the inside intending to prevent your entry. If the angle of the dirt is reasonably expected not to erode, then the distance from the edge of the ditch to the top of the berm is too far to expect to place a scaling ladder, so it really does provide a fairly good barrier to foot soldier, and impossible for horse. Add a foot or two of rainwater and mud in the bottom, and that's that.
Quote:Thanks for the compliments, guys (I was a little worried that I'd get hammered for asking stupid questions).Heck, if that happened every time, I'd be long ago flattened into the ground. :lol:
Do you want to make your scutum boss, or get one elsewhere? For kids that young, making one would be a formidable task, but buying a commercially produced one will likely cost you forty or fifty dollars with freight. Where are you located? Maybe some reenactor nearby can help you out. If that fails, PM me and I'll see what I can scratch up for you, in exchange for some pictures of your groma, perhaps.
Once in a while, there are metal bowls at the second hand stores that can be modified. Otherwise, I could give you a tutorial on making them or something. Problem is, a scutum is curved, and the curve of the backplate/flange has to match fairly well, if you expect the thing to work at all. You can't easily start with a "bowl" and a flat flange and expect to curve the flange. A clipeus would be a much easier first project, imho.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
hock: 