Pugio timeline/reference architecture

[richsc]

Seems like a pugio timeline would be a great addition for those of us constantly confused, same as most other parts of Roman military gear. A reference architecture sort of thing for any particular time period. Is such a thing out there?

[Crispvs]

I suppose I could try to rush one out ahead of the rather belated launch of the pugio database.

Please accept my apology over the failure so far to set up the database. Unfortunately I don't have sufficient privilages at work to be able to get the necessary software to work on my work computer. This problem was to be solved when we got my own computer back for the colleague of my wife's who was upgrading it. Unfortunately after having it back for only two days, my beloved wife again rendered it inoperable for internet use. Again this will have to be sorted out before I can set up the database.

I do intend to have a section which names all of the parts and gives a rough chronology.

The first drawing for this section can be found here:
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 3&start=40

For a rough starter, you could use the pommel expansion as a diagnostic chronological feature. Augustan and earlier pugiones tend to have circular pommels, which the flat topped type seaming to develop during the later half of the first century BC to become the dominant type by the early first century AD, when it also picks up decorative rivets in the top of the pommel expansion. This form is probably more less continuous (the evidence is not terribly good) up to the early second century AD. For the next fifty of so years we have no evidence, after which, during the Antonine period and later we see crescentic pommel expansions.

I hope that help for a start at least.

Crispvs