07-16-2008, 10:00 PM
Ah yes - I can see where you are coming from on this one now! I can also see the source of the error that DS made, i.e. the assumption that the 4:1 ratio of whole
plit rings was continued throughout the whole suit. Of course, each split ring is joined to four whole rings, but only if you consider each split ring in isolation from the row in which it finds itself.
However (as you say), the time period quoted by DS was for one man working. I'm not sure that he intended this to be taken literally. It would surely be the case that there would be quite a few working on this, each one performing a different task (and possibly changing around so as not to get too bored with the whole thing and start making mistakes?)
Your estimate of around 5 to 6 weeks for a complete suit (made by one 'man') is an interesting figure. I've seen another estimate of 3 to 4 weeks for a complete suit of segmentata armour (presumably this assumes that the required plates of metal are already available, together with the sheet brass for the fitments). If so, this means that the times to produce either type of armour were roughly comparable - which removes this as a possible reason for prefering one type of armour over the other! The true differnce might come down to the level of skill required for the two production techniques. Hmmm?
Caratacus/Mike Thomas
plit rings was continued throughout the whole suit. Of course, each split ring is joined to four whole rings, but only if you consider each split ring in isolation from the row in which it finds itself.However (as you say), the time period quoted by DS was for one man working. I'm not sure that he intended this to be taken literally. It would surely be the case that there would be quite a few working on this, each one performing a different task (and possibly changing around so as not to get too bored with the whole thing and start making mistakes?)
Your estimate of around 5 to 6 weeks for a complete suit (made by one 'man') is an interesting figure. I've seen another estimate of 3 to 4 weeks for a complete suit of segmentata armour (presumably this assumes that the required plates of metal are already available, together with the sheet brass for the fitments). If so, this means that the times to produce either type of armour were roughly comparable - which removes this as a possible reason for prefering one type of armour over the other! The true differnce might come down to the level of skill required for the two production techniques. Hmmm?
Caratacus/Mike Thomas
visne scire quod credam? credo orbes volantes exstare.
