Interested in Roman Riding?

[Yurko]

"They are great photos and you have every right to be proud. It is great to see other riders posting up stuff here".

Well, I for one do not think it, "great"!

Though my personal era of interest being the early Principate, by posting these, you're really pressuring from afar this horse owner to spend a lot of $ in a short time. PRESSURE I say! And the $ sucks! I'm only currently at the fetal stage in gathering kit. No, yet earlier stage.... :twisted:

Don't think that pp. 80-83 of Peterson's book are entirely worn out, they are. Reminds me of when at 11, I stumbled upon my Father's stash of...... :roll:

Seriously, a great effort from those of you from the UK AND Europe recreating the mounted arm of Antiquity. Well done! Bravo! Capital, Capital!! (Learned that from a film, what, what!)

Keep torturing me.....

[Vindex]

"They are great photos and you have every right to be proud. It is great to see other riders posting up stuff here".

Well, I for one do not think it, "great"!

Though my personal era of interest being the early Principate, by posting these, you're really pressuring from afar this horse owner to spend a lot of $ in a short time. PRESSURE I say! And the $ sucks! I'm only currently at the fetal stage in gathering kit. No, yet earlier stage.... :twisted:

Don't think that pp. 80-83 of Peterson's book are entirely worn out, they are. Reminds me of when at 11, I stumbled upon my Father's stash of...... :roll:

Seriously, a great effort from those of you from the UK AND Europe recreating the mounted arm of Antiquity. Well done! Bravo! Capital, Capital!! (Learned that from a film, what, what!)

Keep torturing me.....

I say old boy! Chin up, what, what?

Gives one something to aspire to, don't y'know.

Good luck with your impression and don't rush it, there's a good chap. Mine's two years in the preparation and that's just the horse. :roll:

Tiddly tonk!

[jvrjenivs]

Well, nothing to make you worry about, really. It's looking I'm really fast now, I've to admit, but there were 4 years of preparation, research, etc before I first got onto horseback last summer! Everything that is now comming together was prepared over a long period of hard work, frustrating moments, etc.
And then I'm happy the horses we use are already known to re-enactment and most weaponry.

[John Conyard]

I think it is a case of being what you wish to seem to be. Just go and make it happen. Or in the words of Tennyson: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

That may be the first time Tennyson has made it on to RAT. I need to lie down.

[jvrjenivs]

With the wonderful work Olga van Lunsen did on the Xanten helmet, it was time for some new photoshoot. So here me as a first century Batavian cavalryman for the first time. It's very nice to see this kit finally coming together after 4 years of hard work Hope you like the pictures.

[Yurko]

Jvrjenivs,

Well done man! Bravo! Nice to realize 4 years work and money spent coming to fruition I would imagine. I really enjoy following your progress.

Best regards,

[Caballo]

Jurjenius,

That is amazing. The most atmospheric photos I have seen in a long time. Outstanding in every way.
Brilliant!
Cheers
caballo

[John Conyard]

Brilliant! Well done.

Your parcel goes in the post today.

[Vindex]

Very impressive jurjenius.

As a matter of interest, how much vision have you got from that splendid face mask? Any issues with breath condensation?

[jvrjenivs]

Well, I'm used to helmets like this, as within my gladiator impression I also fight with a masked helmet. I've to do some better padding for this one, but then vision should be fine, as will breathing. However, I didn't use it in full-sun for a long time, yet.

[Caballo]

So, what would your thoughts be as to whether the masked helmet could be used in combat?

I've long thought that the vision would actually be better than many medieval helmets used un battle and the combination of psychological impact and face protection would outweigh any loss of peripheral vision?

For example, my personal view is that Genialis's tombstone in Corinium depicts a facemask being used in battle - even if it is the classic "barbarian being trampled by Roman rider" Reiter tombstone.

[jvrjenivs]

Vision certainly equals or is better as with some medieval helmets. I don't have any problem with this kind of helmets, as long as you get used to it. You've to think more in advance, etc.

It is also my opinion this is combat dress. Besides I don't believe in something like 'parade gear', these helmets were made very well, also in respect to 'battle-readyness'. The mask was made of iron folded 4 times, so had a 16 layered structure, making it really strong. 2 years ago there was done some shooting trials on a repro plate of the same content folded 4 times as well (shooting was done with replica Xanten 'manuballista') Very impressive that bolt did only make a scratch in the first layer, where a 2mm plate of modern copper got a big dent in it. Besides, I can't see these helmets being used without a mask, as well, but that's personal opinion.
Well, I'm using it as combat gear and I think it was used that way also back then.

[Ammianus]

So, what would your thoughts be as to whether the masked helmet could be used in combat?

From my experience, in some ways it is extremely uncomfortable, you are sweating hard and the sweat has no where to go except to drip down your face and in your eyes. It is hard to breathe properly becuase of limited space, and you have absolutely no peripheral vision!

But after 10 minutes or so of wearing it, you forget about the heat and the breathing and just 'cope with it'. 30 minutes of wearing one in a show seemed long enough, and then you do it again and again. And in the end it becomes almost enjoyable because you know your opponents cannot see your expressions (and it scares the children)!

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I do not know where I stand on whether I think it could have been used in combat, and I think I'd rather have another helmet. But it certainly would not be impossible - just very uncomfortable.

The other thing I could not stop thinking of was that if I fell of I knew I would break my nose or damage my chin as the mask fitted so well to my face, a nervous thought.

I do not know how well the mask would stand against weapon trauma and arrows. Something to consider? Then you would know how practical it is.

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[Robert Vermaat]

A few images from yesterday, when we were filming at the Museumpark Oriëntalis. Itwas hot 29C)! The riders are Olga and Daniël.

[John Conyard]

Very evocative pictures.

Last weekend we did a weekend north of the Wall at Chillingham Castle. The photos and video are a bit slow coming in, but my 7 year old is getting the hang of a camera.

My horse was fine solid mount. But the little grey was great fun.