Emergence of Segmantata in Scarrow\'s books

[Decimus Claudius Drusus]

I had a question, In Simon Scarrow's second book in the Under the Eagle series, The Eagles Conquest, when Macro and Cato recruit new soldiers for their cohort they mention one wore the "new" segmented cuirass. This being the second invasion of Britain around 43 AD. I was under the impression that segmantata was introduced some 40 years before and was "new" when Augustus was coming to power.

[Carlton Bach]

Several possibilities

- research progresses past historical fiction. It happens all the time. When I was in uni, the assumption was that the seg emerged sometime around the middle of the first century AD. The Kalkriese finds were responsible for changing that position IIRC, but it is still found in all kinds of very reputable academic tomes and until a few years ago, nobody knew better.

- the spread of an article before industrial standardisation may be significantly slower than we are acustomed to. THe author could have worked on the assumption that the segmentata was still new for these troops. Given that an extant mail or scale armour would still be perfectly adequate to the task, there is, after all, no reason to think the seg immediately replaced all other armour.

- Sloppy research. It's not unknown in historical novels, but Mr Scarrow is (was?) on this forum and from what I've seen, I think we can exclude that possibility.

[Decimus Claudius Drusus]

Wow really, I did not know he was or is on this forum. Though i should not be too surprised seeing as there seem to be several good authors on this forum.

Im sure the latter would not apply to Mr. Scarrow as the rest of his research is sound, taking some creative license with the more intimate and personal details with the characters which is to be expected. I thoroughly am enjoying these books.

The reference to the segmented cuirass being the "new style" in 43 AD just threw me off, as i had this idea from what i have read, and what my professors had taught, that the segmented armor was seen as early as Late 1st century BC and while i imagine it didn't replace the hamata and scale armor overnight was atleast becoming popular, if not common, by 43 AD.

Though I do see what you are saying, i had only been exposed to the newer ideas formed from the Kalkriese finds, i hadn't realized that before these finds the assumed date of segmented cuirass was much later.

[jsantell]

As an ex military man myself I still think of the uniforms worn by the Navy as being the "new" style as opposed to what I used to wear 30 years ago. New doesn't have to be this years newest creation if you catch my drift.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

As in "I saw the new faster than sound airliner for the very first time in
87" what a sight/let down/ sleek looking plane.....", even though it was flying for years before.......?

[Tarbicus]

I suspect it's more to do with, at the time of writing the first book, the seg was thought to have seen its first use at the time of Claudius, before the confirmed dating or identification of the Kalkriese type.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

When did Scarrow write this anyway? I don't recall seeing these in the stores when I was looking forthis kind of novel... :?

[Jayo Virgil]

The second book was published in 2001

[Libitina]

When did Scarrow write this anyway? I don't recall seeing these in the stores when I was looking forthis kind of novel... :?

The first one is only 75p on Amazon, just in case you're feeling like splashing out

[Paullus Scipio]

Simon's books are a good read, but for me are somewhat spoilt by a number of inaccuracies, of which this is but a minor one which can be explained away as above, but others can not be.......so 'poor research' seems to be the answer.....