06-07-2012, 03:34 AM
Piotr
Shame you have to hit out at what you see as gross inaccuracies on this forum, rather than take it up at the event. A few things:
Having just finished 30 years in the military I can tell you that the equipment and uniform worn and adapted by soldiers in the field is very different from that used in publicity shots. It would be interesting to compare what people thought about modern equipment and the real thing if all they had was the "come and join the army" poster. Take for example the new Multi terrain Pattern "Hat, combat, tropical" - the British hat is terrible, the crown is too big and it settles over your ears. Most people get them cut down at a tailors or swap for an American Multicam one, I sewed the neck sun protector onto one. However, history will say we wore the hat as issued. Who knows what the Romans actually did and wore, but I bet they would have had many variations on a theme.
However, what is missing here is something that it took me a while to learn. THE PUBLIC DONT CARE! They are after the spectacle, not the total authenticity. Sure it will be great to have everyone as accurate as possible, and one day who knows, but in the meantime we need to do the best we can to attract new recruits and keep the public informed.
When I first started working for Roman Tours I went to do a talk as a stooge at an old people's home. After a while I realised that one lady was blind, so went across and as Paul talked I let her feel the item he was talking about. Afterwards she said that she had been blind from birth, but finally knew what a Roman soldier looked, smelt and felt like....the smell of the wool, leather and armour, the shape of the helmet. That is what it is about, not wether the bloody mail is riveted or not!
And talking of undergarments, what were you wearing, "authentic" Roman style or Armani's?
Cheers Nerva, your straight to the point attitude always gives me a laugh, even when it is at my expense!
Shame you have to hit out at what you see as gross inaccuracies on this forum, rather than take it up at the event. A few things:
Having just finished 30 years in the military I can tell you that the equipment and uniform worn and adapted by soldiers in the field is very different from that used in publicity shots. It would be interesting to compare what people thought about modern equipment and the real thing if all they had was the "come and join the army" poster. Take for example the new Multi terrain Pattern "Hat, combat, tropical" - the British hat is terrible, the crown is too big and it settles over your ears. Most people get them cut down at a tailors or swap for an American Multicam one, I sewed the neck sun protector onto one. However, history will say we wore the hat as issued. Who knows what the Romans actually did and wore, but I bet they would have had many variations on a theme.
However, what is missing here is something that it took me a while to learn. THE PUBLIC DONT CARE! They are after the spectacle, not the total authenticity. Sure it will be great to have everyone as accurate as possible, and one day who knows, but in the meantime we need to do the best we can to attract new recruits and keep the public informed.
When I first started working for Roman Tours I went to do a talk as a stooge at an old people's home. After a while I realised that one lady was blind, so went across and as Paul talked I let her feel the item he was talking about. Afterwards she said that she had been blind from birth, but finally knew what a Roman soldier looked, smelt and felt like....the smell of the wool, leather and armour, the shape of the helmet. That is what it is about, not wether the bloody mail is riveted or not!
And talking of undergarments, what were you wearing, "authentic" Roman style or Armani's?
Cheers Nerva, your straight to the point attitude always gives me a laugh, even when it is at my expense!
Dea Gratia, Sum Quod Sum
