5th Century West Roman / East Roman Armour

[SvenLittkowski]

Hi.

Someone here who can send me photos of late Roman soldiers? My focus is only from AD 400 to AD 550, and by location it is West Rome and East Rome.

Thanks.

The same with ships: anyone here who can send me reconstruction photos or ancient resources (as photo scan) of ancient Roman ships? Here, as well, a similar focus: AD 400 to AD 550, and by location the entire Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean (Indian ships welcome, too).

Thanks a lot,

Sven

[Theodosius the Great]

Hello,

Sixth century mosaic - Argos, Greece

http://www.sikyon.com/Argos/Art/march_april.jpg

Sixth century silver plate which shows a Byzantine or Lombard - Italy

http://www.angelfire.com/empire/egfroth ... ETAIL3.JPG

Manuscript or fresco - (4-5th century ?)

http://vergil.classics.upenn.edu/images/3867-188v.gif

Vortigern Studies can probably identify the last photo more precisely.

I don't believe there were differences in types of armor worn in the Eastern and Western halves of the empire. But certain types like lamellar were probably more common in the East. In fact, the Western soldiers probably had fewer armored men than the East in your time frame. The East had far more factories making armor for their cavaly horses by AD 400.

Also, check out this link for original helmets :

http://www.romancoins.info/MilitaryEqui ... html#Ridge

They all fit into your time frame. There were basically two types : spangenhelms and ridge helmets.

~Theo

[SvenLittkowski]

The links are not bad, thanks, Theodosius the Great. They are great.

I wonder if there are any reconstructional sketches.

And I don't mind to get even more links.

[Theodosius the Great]

Ah, I see.

I remember there were one or two drawings of Late Romans posted in the "Gaming & Modeling" section, but the links there are now broken.

But just doing a quick google search I was able to find these :

http://strategicsimulations.net/catalog ... AT8100.jpg

http://strategicsimulations.net/catalog ... AT8137.jpg

http://strategicsimulations.net/catalog ... AT8087.jpg

http://strategicsimulations.net/catalog ... N72014.jpg

It's tough to find drawings online due to copyright restrictions, etc..So, it's best to buy a couple of Osprey books.

A good book to get is here : http://www.concord-publications.com/6011/6011.htm

Good luck, Sven.

~Theo

[Salvianus]

My group's modern interpretations from the begining of your period can be found at the Comitatus website and on the photogallery on my livejournal (links below) if those are helpful.

feliciter

[Robert Vermaat]

I see! I thought you were interested only in the ancient artistic representations, as provided by Jaime.

OK! A few links to purely Late Roman events in which fectio took part:

LRE I, 2005, at Archeon, The Netherlands

LRE II, 2006, at Archeon, The Netherlands

LRE III, 2008, at Archeon, The Netherlands - my photobucket album

[SvenLittkowski]

Nice links, thanks a lot. I appreciate them.

Hmm... Is there any re-enactment group (Late-Roman) who is willing to assist me with photos? I am reconstructing ancient Roman ships, and need to cut out digitally persons and put them "aboard" of my ancient ships.

Anyone interested? I need your permission to place you on my ancient Roman fleet. Please e-mail me the photos i am allowed to process. Thanks again!

And one more question: is anyone knowing ancient illustrations of any kind of late-Roman ships, same era?

[Wander]

Sven: In researching Roman ships the best reference I've found is Lionel Casson's Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World. His knowledge is impressive, his scholarship is impeccable, and the book has a useful compilation of images from paintings, reliefs, and mosaics. It covers a very broad scope, though, and unfortunately doesn't focus on detail or specific types as much as I'd like.

I'm still looking for a good reconstruction of a keles (Greek)/celox (Latin), a small, very fast rowed/sailing ship used as a courier/light cargo/military vessel. Apparently a well-handled keles could outpace a trireme, based on one of Casson's references, and pirates were fond of them for their speed.

[SvenLittkowski]

I did many reconstructions already. Not sure if a keles is amongst them. I could check.

Yes, I know that book. In fact, I have it here, right besides me, right now! ;-) )

So far, I did already 30 hi-resolution reconstructional sketches, all strictly from the side but looking as realistic as possible! I made even the "Europa" and its large escort vessel! Also, I did some of the small fishing boats from Roman Tunisia. In a rougher way I have around 200 sketches or ancient Roman ships and ship types, those I have to redo with graphic software.

If only I could find someone who could handle 3D render software, I could even recreate them and make them available here for you all as wonderful 3D models, to look to them from all sides...

Greetings,

Sven Littkowski