Another Roman Tent is in the works

[Neuraleanus]

I'm making a pyrotone tent for Sean Hirst of legio IIII. A view of one completed sidewall:

[attachment=0:31uonvxl]<!-- ia0 sidewall.jpg<!-- ia0 [/attachment:31uonvxl]

Here is some views of the tent that I made two years ago:

[url:31uonvxl]http://www.geocities.com/legio_tricesima_cohors_tres/campusMartis/conturbernium/ContuberniumTent.html[/url]

It is based upon the tent found at Vindolanda. I'm making Sean's tent one panel longer per his request.

[jvrjenivs]

Nice, good work. More leather look-a-like panelled tents are always good in the scene.

[PhilusEstilius]

I have to admit that I am not so well informed about Roman tents, however I have for some time had this theory or idea if you like. When we hear of a contaburnium tent I often wonder about the setting up of it, for on the march the soldiers would no dought do this when they arrived before night fall. I kind of think they may have used their bag pack poles to support the side walls of the tent that is four down each side, with two long fork poles and a long ridge pole for the upper area. I would ask if anyone has ever considered this idea for it makes sence to me that come the move in the next morning it would be easy to just take out their pack poles so dropping the sides, then lay the tent down and swing in the fork poles roll it up with the long poles inside and just put it onto a mule the rest of the wood being carried by the 8 guys.

[jvrjenivs]

Yeah, I also think that way, but I haven't had the opportunity to try it out, yet (I lack a tent). When we take into account that 'furca' means 'fork', you can imagine that 2 forks are pretty good in folding a third pole, which is basically all you need (but sidepoles are a welcome contribution to set up the tent better).

[Neuraleanus]

I kind of think they may have used their bag pack poles to support the side walls of the tent that is four down each side, with two long fork poles and a long ridge pole for the upper area.

That would not work for the Vindolanda tent as the side walls are too low. Judging from Trajan's column the furca poles all appear to be quite long. Also, from experience, you really need a ridge pole to press the weight of the tent down upon. The frame is necessary considering the space of about 12 by 12 feet for each tent in the camp.

Then again, we really are guessing here as no roman tent frame pieces survive.

[richleng]

I came across your forum while researching tentmaking in ancient times. I'm interested in the history of 1st century Christianity (not for religion, but history). It seems that Roman tents were pretty complex - made of leather, complex stitching, waterproof etc. Pliny reports that 35 calf skins were required for a tent. My research indicates that 750,000 hides were needed to make tents for the Western Legions.

The Apostle Paul is reputed to have been a tentmaker. He was a Roman citizen by birth, which is quite prestigious. I was wondering if perhaps Paul's Roman citizenship was related to his skill as a tentmaker. Was tentmaking a skilled or valued occupation? Are there sources on the craft of tentmaking? Who made the tents for the Roman Army? Civilian tentmakers, or the soldiers themselves?

Thanks a lot. I'll check the forum, or you could email me at [email protected] .

[Neuraleanus]

Welcome to Roman Army Talk.

Sorry, but I have no answers to your questions. The tents that I make are based almost exclusively on archeological evidence: "New Light on old Tents" by C. van Driel Murray, Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies Vol. 1, 1990.

[Robert Vermaat]

Thanks a lot. I'll check the forum, or you could email me at [email protected] .

Please write your real (first) name in your signature - in your profile. It's a forum rule.

[richleng]

Dear Moderator: I added my real first name in my profile. My first name is Richard. I hope I did it correctly. Incidently, I am named after an English archaeologist, Richard Burleigh, who worked with my father in WWII. We visited him when I was a child at his home on Hadrian's Wall. Along with his son, they have done great work in excavating a Roman fort at the site.

Thank you,

Rich Leng