Looking for shoe patterns from the era of Justinian I 527AD

[James B.]

As the title says I am looking for shoe patterns appropriate to this time frame; the simpler the pattern the better. I would love a pattern that does not take many layers on the sole like earlier caligae. I also need men and women’s patterns assuming there is a known difference.

Thanks

[Theodosius the Great]

Hi James,

If you haven't found a pattern by now, I suggest you try the 'hypodemata' boot pattern from Osprey "Roman Military Clothing (3)", plate D2.

I myself would like to try it but I'd like to see the pattern more clearly before I make an attempt. The same pattern can also be seen in "Late Roman Infantryman, 236-565 AD" but I'm a little confused by the drawing. The color plate "L1" shows the boot flattened out and then it's shown laced up. On the flattened drawing the back of the boot looks inconsistent with the laced drawing :?

Here's a link to the book cover

Can someone help out on this ?

~Theo

[aitor iriarte]

Hmmm, only educated guess at its best... :?

Aitor

[Theodosius the Great]

So, this pattern is simply guess work based on the Strategikon and not on a surviving pattern ?


~Theo

[Martin Moser]

The pattern shown on the cover of the Osprey book you provided the link to (if that is the one you mean) is simply a carbatina pattern with a nailed sole attached. It would be a feasible pattern for the 2nd or 3rd century AD. I don't know any definite 6th century patterns, but that doesn't mean there aren't any finds of that era. Some Achmim Panopolis (Egypt) finds might fall into that time (they range from 2nd to ca. 8th century), but if so, they are far more developed and elaborate than the one you referred to.
Generally I only trust Osprey (or any other books, for that matter) as long as they give sources I can countercheck.

[Theodosius the Great]

Martin, thank you

I searched the old threads for more information on the carbatina and was surprised to learn that some (all?) had no nails on their soles. And your work is stunning, as usual.

It would be a feasible pattern for the 2nd or 3rd century AD.

I had a nagging feeling that I've seen this boot pattern on 2nd century reenactors. But I'm still determined to make a pair of these since I also do a Severan era impression :wink:

But I'll keep searching for an early 6th century pattern that's simple enough for me to make myself.

Generally I only trust Osprey (or any other books, for that matter) as long as they give sources I can countercheck.

A sensible modus operandi. But I'm unaware of any books that exclusively deal with Roman footwear. Can you suggest something, Martin ?

~Theo

[Julia Langobardia]

theres a new book from Limesmuseum Aalen in Germany
http://www.theiss.de/detail.php?n=1095& ... hp&refpn=3

about the carbatina postet above:

there is a similar find from the Netherlands (Munsterseveld, 5th c.) and one from Germany (Oberflacht 6th c.), both without additional sole or nails

[Robert Vermaat]

there is a similar find from the Netherlands (Munsterseveld, 5th c.) and one from Germany (Oberflacht 6th c.), both without additional sole or nails

Thanks for the info! I already hoped so, but this is confirmation that I can use these patterns for my 4th-c. impression..

[garrelt]

Julia

Do you know where the article is published and which organisation has done the excavation and in which year.
example Groningen University, ARC, ADC , BAAC or an other not mentioned here.
So that i can check if we have, or can get, the excavation report .

[garrelt]

So the site is Munsterscheveld close to Emmer/ Emmer-Compascuum in the province of Drenthe

[Theodosius the Great]

Thank you, Chris. Laudes

Too bad I don't read German but I don't really need to read that much for my purposes :wink:

The patterns are enough for me.

~Theo

[Julia Langobardia]

Garrelt,

I only know the find from Munsterseveld from
Carol van Driel-Murray: "Die römischen Lederfunde" in
"Das Ostkastell von Welzheim", Stuttgart 1999

she compares the Welzheim shoes with other finds and there is (among others) a drawing of the Munsterseveld-Bundschuh (carbatina) done bei O. Goubitz...

no further reference, I`m sorry

I`m be interested myself in the excavation report!

[garrelt]

I have the patern for a size continental size 42 (7 1/2 us?), and wear them without a thick outer sole for a few years now.
Slowly holes are forming in the sole, new leather has to be ordered.
Hopefully 2 pairs ready before LREIII

Tip:
What you can do is photocopie the picture in Late Roman Infantry man and scale it to your foot size.

[garrelt]

That is an excavation which could have being done in 1992 to 1998.
Bearing in mind the time between exacavting, conservating (takes about a year) and the actual report in 1999.
This leaves about 4 organisations for an end report : IPP, AAC, ROB and Groningen University.

Going on with the search

[Julia Langobardia]

I`d really love to know, what you can find out!

I found three papers by Goubitz listet (without any reference to this shoe):
Goubitz 1984, 1986, 1987