04-02-2011, 04:10 AM
Hello, Peroni and Robert
Yes, those are the Scythian greaves I mentioned. Mine are similar, made of tapered metal pieces attached to a leather wrap-around. The pair that John wears in the photo has non-tapered splints.
Greaves made from wooden splints have been found in the Altai and Yenesei regions. These too could easily have a connection to later generations: Scythian to Sarmatian, Saka to Massagetae/Alan. They are products of plate armor technology, only the plates being longer.
When we look at the continuity of arms and armor, there is usually a direct relationship through the centuries. The Roxolani spangenhelm on Trajan's column survives through refinement as the Norman helmet. The Han-styled sword goes through its own transcendance, to Alanic, "Migration Era," and eventually becomes the cruxiform bastard sword of the middle ages. Development in continuous. Not spotty "re-invention."
And, truth be known, my kit is fairly ambiguous. Other than the early sword, most of this stuff could have been worn in the 3rd or even 5th century. Armor never dies. It just gets recycled.
I teach a 2-week archery class to children and teens. Through most of it, I wear a tunic and steppe boots. On the last day of class, I wear full armor. The kids remember it. They go home and maybe google up more info. In any case, they leave that last class knowning something about the steppe warrior. There is nothing in the American education system that even approaches info on early Asian cultures. Maybe I'm not "thoroughly" correct in this kit, but it serves a useful and enlightening purpose.
Yes, those are the Scythian greaves I mentioned. Mine are similar, made of tapered metal pieces attached to a leather wrap-around. The pair that John wears in the photo has non-tapered splints.
Greaves made from wooden splints have been found in the Altai and Yenesei regions. These too could easily have a connection to later generations: Scythian to Sarmatian, Saka to Massagetae/Alan. They are products of plate armor technology, only the plates being longer.
When we look at the continuity of arms and armor, there is usually a direct relationship through the centuries. The Roxolani spangenhelm on Trajan's column survives through refinement as the Norman helmet. The Han-styled sword goes through its own transcendance, to Alanic, "Migration Era," and eventually becomes the cruxiform bastard sword of the middle ages. Development in continuous. Not spotty "re-invention."
And, truth be known, my kit is fairly ambiguous. Other than the early sword, most of this stuff could have been worn in the 3rd or even 5th century. Armor never dies. It just gets recycled.
I teach a 2-week archery class to children and teens. Through most of it, I wear a tunic and steppe boots. On the last day of class, I wear full armor. The kids remember it. They go home and maybe google up more info. In any case, they leave that last class knowning something about the steppe warrior. There is nothing in the American education system that even approaches info on early Asian cultures. Maybe I'm not "thoroughly" correct in this kit, but it serves a useful and enlightening purpose.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb