09-02-2012, 04:43 AM
This is why SCA uses rattan swords and padded crushing and thrusting weapons as well as armor strong enough to withstand those weapons. There are people in the SCA who have made laminated curved shields like you describe for years. They build a shield press curved in the desired curvature, glue the wood sheets together and clamp into the press which holds the laminate togehter in position until removed. Once you have a press to make them in, replacing destroyed shields isn't hard or aside from materials costs for moe wood and glue, not too costly. I would guess if gear like this could be replaced cheaply and easily, people wouldn't worry about them much. If Romans trained with wicker etc. for demonstration purposes, how would showing legionary training go using Roman training equipment? Maybe it could be made safer as a result, not damage that Albion gladius you had to sell your first born to buy, and only risk training gear? Perhaps tell spectators that showing them the combat whereby the Roman Legions conquered a mighty empire would be entertaining but highly dangerous ( after all, these combat techniques were designed to kill and were quite efficient for that purpose) one can watch the training legionaries underwent, and picture the Roman War Machine in action. The Romans wouldn't have risked their gear and lives for the purposes of training either. Its not like repairing and replacing would have been cheap or easy for the average Legionary grunt either. Recreating mass training exercises could be impressive . Throw in some testudos and other precision maneuvers too. Set up some straw men and heave some javelins or Pilae. Everyone's seen legionary battles in movies, show how they got to be that good. Some close order drill defensive and offensive maneuvers. I think combat or combat training displays could be done without getting killed or more importantly, messing up your good gear.
Caesar audieritis hoc
