Guys,<br>
although I am largely responsible for the deepeeka replica, there is really no good evidence that this object is actually a piece of Roman military equipment. In fact, the most probable function was a container for body oil. I say this for the following reasons:<br>
1.They are found on civilian as well as military sites.<br>
2.The elaborate suspension chain is reminescent of other Roman bath/toiletry objects such as stirgils, all attached together for transport to the baths.<br>
3. some of these are far too elaborate to suggest a simple water flask (fancy decorated weapons and armor yes, water vessels, probably not.<br>
4. Some of these definately had locking caps, there is really no other precedent for this in military water bottles, but we know that some bath oils in the ancient world were very expensive.<br>
5. There is no pictorial representation in a Roman military context. The only object suggestive of a water vessel among the impedimenta packs in the famous marching scene on Trajan's columnt is the 'net bag'. This suggests a ceramic vessel inside, with the net providing insulation from breakage, or an organic membrane water vessel made from an animal organ, held in a net as strapping would otherwise puncture the membrane and cause it to leak. The shape on trajan's column is very reminescent of the traditional Spanish 'bota' beverage container. There are round ceramic fluid vessels that may be canteens, but they may also be oil flasks.<br>
<br>
It is possible of course, the the same flask could serve both purposes.<br>
<br>
Dan<br>
<br>
Dan<br>
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