Please help - bad roman replica\'s?

[mizrie]

Hello,

I have been given a small budget to produce Roman workshops for a school. I have been searching for a few key Roman pieces that will give the pupils an understanding of how the Legionaries looked. I am thinking specifically a helmet, shoes and belt/apron.

However i have spent hours upon hours searching and i seem to be getting more and more confused. I have read there are lots of bad replica's.
Could some one please look at the items i have saved so far and tell me if any of them are what are know as to be bad replica's?
It would really help me!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

All, except possibly the crest.

Look at this site for starters, all the pieces with a few exceptions are made from archaological evidence.#

www.armamentaria.com

[jvrjenivs]

I would totally second Byron.

The helmet you mention is the (in)famous trooper helmet. The worst thing available and copied to many times
I also wouldn't go with these sandals (I wouldn't call the Caligae) and beltparts, either.

Where are you living? Could be of any help to point you in the direction of some good stuff from certain resellers.

For a helmet, you might want to have a look at the new Deepeeka line. Of the shelf caligae you can best get by DSC vendors (like armamentaria in europe and Imperium or Soul of the warrior in the USA). For belt plates, look at Armamentaria 'budget' parts.

Hope this helps.

[Redguru]

You may also search this site for local re-enactors who will probably be more than willing to give demonstrations and/or loan equipment for your workshops.

[Matthew Amt]

Ave!

Get thee to the Legio XX website:

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/

It has guidelines on all the basics, with suggested sources at the bottom of each page. Plus a page of Things to Avoid. Granted, I need to do a few updates!

As for the things you show, yeah, the first helmet is the infamous Trooper--a hair better than some (eyebrows are properly embossed in rather than brazed on!), but still not one of our favorites! The second helmet is worse. There's no problem with the ring-motif belt plate (from Albion's Moat Sale), but Deepeeka recently came out with 2 complete belts which are actually pretty good, AH6760 "Roman Belt" and AH6725 "Roman disc legionnary belt, 1cent AD". I don't like any of the other Deepeeka belts, though. The 3 items on the checkered background are Late Roman castings by someone in the UK (don't remember!), and they're probably decent but not appropriate for the first century AD.

You are absolutely right that there is a LOT of bad stuff out there! The vast majority is unusable for any historical purposes, really. So it's good that you came here before leaping into the minefield! Keep the questions coming.

Vale,

Matthew

[A_Volpe]

I totally agree with Matt Amt, Leg XX page and the mention of Armamentaria.

Too much junk, and copied junk...

Are you looking to get good repro's for the school to copy, or look at for display for what an 'accurate' piece should look like?

If you're looking to buy a couple pairs of the caligae for a one-shot workshop, then I think those Caligae are OK, being that you are doing this for a school, and are on a budget. It does enough to show the basics, is 'cheap' but still goes towards the generalized "look" of caligae. Yes, it should be pointed/conical hobnails, et cetera...But if you're looking to make a pair...Then I say consult Leg. XX's page.

Another fellow Roman who I think has been doing a lot of great research/reconstruction work is Titus Licinius Neuraleanus (Lee Helova) in Indiana USA.

I also say that the belt plate and helmet crest brackets, from Albion Armorers Moat Sale, are very nice and good quality. And that's not just because it's what I have on my belt :mrgreen:

I don't think the crest looks terrible either. The only 'hair splitting' question is what color(s) were the crests? Nobody Knows.

Otherwise the Helmets are TRASH. I don't know what the castings are based on, or who makes them, so I have no opinion on them.

Good Luck!

[mizrie]

Thank you all so much for your advice and help!

I have read through the Legio XX pages several times and considered sending a message there so thank you for replying here.

I know there are several companies that do full Roman reenactment days that have amazing amounts of knowledge and equipment. I am first off a drama facilitator and am paid to run interactive workshops based on national curriculum subjects. The pieces i use are mainly seen as 'costume' and artifacts to spur on creative ideas, however it goes against my grain to have the pupils working with things that are largely in-accurate, hence my research.

I have toiled over this (and it has caused me much frustration!) and have decided i will go with the Caligae and Crest but will be sure to point out the essentials regarding the materials, hobnails ect

You will be happy to know i will stay clear of the helmets until i have a better understanding and can afford one close enough - likewise with the belt i think.
I have until September anyhow so may be back on here for advice!

Thank you once again :0)

[Crispvs]

Where are you located Mizrie? Depending on where you live you might find that an experienced and knowledgeable re-enactor lives close by who might be happy to help. I can think of three Roman re-enactors who do schools visits within an hour's drive of where I live and could probably point you to knowledgable people in most parts of Britain.

If you want to PM me your number we could have a chat about what you want to do and what you might need.

Crispvs

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I may be thinning out my helmet collection should you be interested. If so let me know what you are after, and I can let you know if I have what you need.

[jvrjenivs]

I may be thinning out my helmet collection should you be interested. If so let me know what you are after, and I can let you know if I have what you need.

what? Are you serious Byron? But yeah, thinning out will also mean less to clean and less storage, which is a good thing.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I may be thinning out my helmet collection should you be interested. If so let me know what you are after, and I can let you know if I have what you need.

what? Are you serious Byron? But yeah, thinning out will also mean less to clean and less storage, which is a good thing.

Yes that is one reason. The other is some do not fit my head adequately enough to be anything other than a show piece.