11-20-2010, 08:45 PM
Greetings,
I am new to this particular board so I pray I placed this query in the correct. My interests in the Roman military has been solid since childhood. In the modern world I am a traditional blacksmith a soldier and a firefighter, all trades with strong ties to our Roman heritage. I thank you for your time and aid on this subject.
My query is thus, does anyone know of any good documentation for the equipment of the Vigiles? So far I only know of two solid sources. It seems the more I look the less I find.
-First is the remains of a bronze pump cart and it's mounted nozzle similar to a modern siamesed monitor (ie a fire engine deck gun). http://www.ostia-antica.org/dict/topics ... aserma.htm
-Second is the find of the Excubitorium in Rome, Identified as a watch house of the seventh cohort by graffiti that has since faded away due to poorly maintaining the site. On the site above there is also a floor plan of a large scale barracks that may have evidence of cart storage.
After that it gets fogy. Much of the equipment discussed is practical and used by the modern fire service of this last century. Any solid data, or original references would be of great interest.
-Buckets. I have found a description of small rope buckets sealed with pitch by Vigiles and a reference to these troopers as being nicknamed "Spartoli".
-Helmets. Without question they wore them for protection. The problem is what kind? The Italic and Gallic type helms are very practical and bear resemblance to those used by the modern fire service (ie. lobster tailed and later with crown ridges). However anyone who's been near a forge can attest that metal jewelry absorbs radiant heat very easily, so what about a helmet? That being said the German fire service used metal WWII style helmets until just recently. Would it be anachronistic to assume a miles with some coin could use a state of the art legionary type if not issued such?
-Uniforms. I am told the BBC has ruled that the Vigiles wore yellow tunics. A display at the Italian Fire museum depicts two Vigiles in cream white tunics in the Excubitorium. Last I checked we were still arguing over colors for the legions and marine service.
-Armor. Likely not practical for firefighting (unless leather), although desirable for policing and military service.
-Hooks, reference as being used just as "pike poles" are today. The question then is of design and construction. I would assume they were similar to boat hooks with a blunt cap and a short hook, or the pike style with a spear-point and hook.
-Axes, some English sources suggest they carried the lictor's axe as a badge of office. Else were it is inferred they simply used common axes during suppression operations.
-Ballistas, it is often cited the Vigiles used these engines to remove buildings to make fire breaks (control by fuel). This makes sense but I do not know of the original source. Should we then assume they used light-medium catapulta similar to the legions or a purpose built machine?
-Hoses. By the 1800's the fire service was commonly using leather hose with metal couplings. I have heard it suggested the Vigiles did as well but have yet to see evidence or an original source state such.
-Weapons, in use as combatants did they posses actual military arms or simply improvised suppression equipment in times of trouble?
-Shields, standards, et cetera. Again military items, were these items issued?
-Ranks/positions. I have found the following used: miles (common rank), siphonarius (pumping apparatus driver operator), aquarius (water supply tech), centurion (referenced as a retirement gig for Praetorians), 7 tribunes for the Cohorts. Praefectus Vigilum (Equite leader of the Vigiles), aided by a subprefect.
It is my understanding the force was raised by Augustus from slaves, then opened to citizen enlistments, and finally absorbed by the Praetorians. Further data on these events would also be of use to me.
Thank you for reading along this far. Thanks in advance for any additional information you can provide. Perhaps soon I will have the data necessary to add an engine to the ranks of our military reenactors.
-Kyle
I am new to this particular board so I pray I placed this query in the correct. My interests in the Roman military has been solid since childhood. In the modern world I am a traditional blacksmith a soldier and a firefighter, all trades with strong ties to our Roman heritage. I thank you for your time and aid on this subject.
My query is thus, does anyone know of any good documentation for the equipment of the Vigiles? So far I only know of two solid sources. It seems the more I look the less I find.
-First is the remains of a bronze pump cart and it's mounted nozzle similar to a modern siamesed monitor (ie a fire engine deck gun). http://www.ostia-antica.org/dict/topics ... aserma.htm
-Second is the find of the Excubitorium in Rome, Identified as a watch house of the seventh cohort by graffiti that has since faded away due to poorly maintaining the site. On the site above there is also a floor plan of a large scale barracks that may have evidence of cart storage.
After that it gets fogy. Much of the equipment discussed is practical and used by the modern fire service of this last century. Any solid data, or original references would be of great interest.
-Buckets. I have found a description of small rope buckets sealed with pitch by Vigiles and a reference to these troopers as being nicknamed "Spartoli".
-Helmets. Without question they wore them for protection. The problem is what kind? The Italic and Gallic type helms are very practical and bear resemblance to those used by the modern fire service (ie. lobster tailed and later with crown ridges). However anyone who's been near a forge can attest that metal jewelry absorbs radiant heat very easily, so what about a helmet? That being said the German fire service used metal WWII style helmets until just recently. Would it be anachronistic to assume a miles with some coin could use a state of the art legionary type if not issued such?
-Uniforms. I am told the BBC has ruled that the Vigiles wore yellow tunics. A display at the Italian Fire museum depicts two Vigiles in cream white tunics in the Excubitorium. Last I checked we were still arguing over colors for the legions and marine service.
-Armor. Likely not practical for firefighting (unless leather), although desirable for policing and military service.
-Hooks, reference as being used just as "pike poles" are today. The question then is of design and construction. I would assume they were similar to boat hooks with a blunt cap and a short hook, or the pike style with a spear-point and hook.
-Axes, some English sources suggest they carried the lictor's axe as a badge of office. Else were it is inferred they simply used common axes during suppression operations.
-Ballistas, it is often cited the Vigiles used these engines to remove buildings to make fire breaks (control by fuel). This makes sense but I do not know of the original source. Should we then assume they used light-medium catapulta similar to the legions or a purpose built machine?
-Hoses. By the 1800's the fire service was commonly using leather hose with metal couplings. I have heard it suggested the Vigiles did as well but have yet to see evidence or an original source state such.
-Weapons, in use as combatants did they posses actual military arms or simply improvised suppression equipment in times of trouble?
-Shields, standards, et cetera. Again military items, were these items issued?
-Ranks/positions. I have found the following used: miles (common rank), siphonarius (pumping apparatus driver operator), aquarius (water supply tech), centurion (referenced as a retirement gig for Praetorians), 7 tribunes for the Cohorts. Praefectus Vigilum (Equite leader of the Vigiles), aided by a subprefect.
It is my understanding the force was raised by Augustus from slaves, then opened to citizen enlistments, and finally absorbed by the Praetorians. Further data on these events would also be of use to me.
Thank you for reading along this far. Thanks in advance for any additional information you can provide. Perhaps soon I will have the data necessary to add an engine to the ranks of our military reenactors.
-Kyle
