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Salve Cesar!
The first major Roman presence in Nijmegen during the first century was the small fortress on the Kops Plateau, established in 10 BC and occupied until the Batavian revolt in 70 AD (apres domini or after Christ). Legio X built the large legionary castra on the Hunerberg to the west of the original camp.
Apart from the BC - AD mixup, I can see your point on the Iberian ones being much earlier (200 - 100 BC) and it indeed much of a puzzle.
Here is pic of the very similar Spanish one. I have no good dating on it, but perhaps someone recognises it and can provide a firm date
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Hi Jurjen.
You are absolutely right! I was concentrating on the first century mystery. :oops: I forgot two words in my first sentence, making my statement absoltute bullocks :? and stand corrected. Thanks
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Thanks Robert, you are absolutly right, although I think you would agree with me that both of the sheaths in question are stylistically quite unlike that of other known sheaths, suggesting, which no less valid, a common origin, presumably in Spain. Yes, a reconstruction of the Nijmegen copper-alloy sheath plate might look rather good.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
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Whoops - I missed all of the other comments.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
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Salve Crispvs!
Yep, bit of a mystery, but as they are so very similar and found so far apart a common origin, in this case probably Spain, could be argued. The other possibility is local manufacture copying an old design. These are not that hard to make, which is why I like it :lol: I think we need also look at the blades, not just the scabbards. These are of a much more slender shape then the wide early and late pugio, as far as I can tell. But hé, you're Mr. Pugiones!
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If you have seen the images of the article i have linked, there are not similar to the Nijmegen exemplar...there are IDENTICAL.
At Conimbriga there are another one exemplar included in Obmann's book, but without a datation clear.
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OK, so the main issue would seem to be: How long was this type of pugio scabbard in use in the Iberian theater? Because the whole story revolves around how the Nijmegen example got to be found so far from it's presumibly Spanish origin. A legionary taking it with him from spain to Nijmegen would be a fitting explination, but the dates would make this improbable if this type disappeared from Spain much earlier then halfway the first century. Cesar, I do not dispute your claim the scabbard design is identical, down to the consistent use of only two rivets per ring. The blades are also different, being more slender.
