Roman Auxilliaries in Dacian Wars....

[Vincula]

Well, it's a pretty accurate depiction of that particular archer.<br>
(He's a Hamian, from Syria.) <p></p><i></i>

[Mithras]

I recreate an early 3rd century legionnary based on Hadrian's Wall. My personal interest is in archery and slinging, so I've tried my best to find evidence I can work with.<br>
<br>
Not much luck.<br>
<br>
Our group, Cohors Quinta Gallorum has agreed that in our period an archer would wear the same kit as a standard auxiliary. I think the same would go for earlier archers .... I have evidence for a bracer, I have a good match for a bow, a quiver has perplexed me and I've tried my own design ... but I'm considering a redesign already.<br>
<br>
www.geocities.com/zozerga...errear.jpg<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Hey Mithras,<br>
<br>
Where did you get your bow? Was it costly? I also am in need of a bow....though something suitable for 2nd century. Is it possible to make your own? <p>Magnus/Matt<br>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"<br>
Niagara Falls, Canada</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=tiberiuslantaniusmagnus>tiberius lantanius magnus</A> at: 4/13/04 8:41 pm<br></i>

[Mithras]

Hi Matt<br>
<br>
I made some queries on bow type on a previous thread (pub45.ezboard.com/fromana...=894.topic ) and the upshot of that thread was that the Grozer bows are best (probably the only source of composite recurves). Grozer bows (www.grozerarchery.com/index_b.htm ) are often available from archery retailers. Grozer’s Hungarian and Adult Scythian bows were identified as having the correct nocks for the Roman period. Our chairman is Alexandra Croom, an archaeologist and Roman fabric specialist, and checks the authenticity of our gear. I’m not sure she’ll pass my Scythian bow because it has wooden nocks, not the archaeologically testified horn nocks…<br>
<br>
Grozer do several versions of most bows, a full on composite with wood, horn and sinew, very expensive (£1000) and difficult to maintain (but perrrrfect!); a bow with horn nocks and gorgeous skin covering, and a cheaper one with wooden nocks. In these latter bows sinew is replaced with fibreglass. The cheapest bow will set you back £120 or so.<br>
<br>
Making your own? No idea. I doubt it would be easy or quick. These bows look complex. I’d suggest getting bow time on a cheap version and then if you feel confident maybe spending that build-time going for the full sinew and horn version (good luck!).<br>
<br>
I got my quiver pattern from an archery site (www.rfd.cc/ta/backplan/ ) the quiver is great, easy to make but probably a touch too big. I made a cardboard version first and walked around the house with it full of arrows before I was happy with the dimensions. I’ve also toned down the cherry red colour to a much darker red.<br>
<br>
After all that I got to try out the kit in the garden: (www.geocities.com/zozerga.../temp2.jpg )<br>
<br>
Hope that’s of some use!<br>
<br>
Paul Elliott<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mithras@romanarmytalk>Mithras</A> at: 4/14/04 10:35 am<br></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Paul,<br>
<br>
If everything else fails, tell Alex that maybe the reason why all surviving ears are made of bone or antler is that horn or wooden ones do not survive on the ordinary archeaological enviroments!<br>
<br>
My group is also going to equip with Grozer's Hungarian bows (Extra II, with horn ears) this year. We'll try nomad quivers, not very Roman but...<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=aitoririarte>Aitor Iriarte</A> at: 4/14/04 10:54 am<br></i>

[Vincula]

Quote:</em></strong><hr>I’m not sure she’ll pass my Scythian bow because it has wooden nocks, not the archaeologically testified horn nocks…<hr><br>
I see Aitor Iriarte has just made the point I was going to make! <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Thanks Paul.<br>
<br>
Is this the bow you mean, the "old scythian"?<br>
<br>
[url=http://www.grozerarchery.com/index_b.htm" target="top]Old Scythian Bow[/url]<br>
<br>
105 Euro Dollars isn't bad. I wonder what shipping would be to Canada?<br>
<br>
Did you make your own arrows too? <p>Magnus/Matt<br>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"<br>
Niagara Falls, Canada</p><i></i>

[Mithras]

Hi Matt,<br>
<br>
No its definately the <em>adult</em>Scythian bow, not the Old one.<br>
<br>
Because I practise target archery at weekends I use a set of 28" wooden arrows with artificial flights and nice but modern brass bullet-shaped heads.<br>
<br>
For re-enactment this summer I aim to make 6 Roman arrows with goose-feather fletchings and a variety of attested arrowheads (for show - our group is primarily living history and experimental archaeology, not combat, our results are published in an academic journal).<br>
<br>
On the bow purchase ... let someone else do the shipping! Google up a Canadian archery company online. Bet they stock Grozer bows. You will need arrows to suit the bow. E-mail the supplier first ask them what they recommend, mine are cheap wooden arrows with 2and a-half inch fletchings 'spined' at 15lbs less than my bow (which is a 45lb pull, I wouldn't go beyond that for your first Grozer bow), and 5/16 thick.<br>
<br>
Hope that helps! <p>Paul Elliott<br>
<br>
<strong>Heroes of Delphi</strong> - Classical Greece gone D20<br>
<strong>Zenobia</strong> - Fantasy RPG in the Eastern Roman Empire<br>
<strong>Warlords of Alexander</strong> - Kingdoms in conflict for the ruins of Alexander's Empire<br>
<br>
www.geocities.com/mithrapolis/games.html</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Paul,<br>
<br>
This is rather exciting since my knowledge of bows up until this point was quite limited. What is the difference between the old scythian and the adult scythian? Would the old scythian be ok? It's a lot cheaper, that's for sure. Authentically speaking, is it still ok?<br>
<br>
I also want to make my own arrows...well, at least the points. But I will likely do as you say, and get some recommended arrows. I have sent Grozer an email inquiring about shipping, so we'll see what he says. I am afraid of going through a canadian company, and having them inflate the price to cover the shipping, exchange rate AND mark-up. I suppose I'll wait and see. <p>Magnus/Matt<br>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"<br>
Niagara Falls, Canada</p><i></i>