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legionary eagle and wolfskin
#16
Since I am close to buying a wolfskin (a lionskin might... um... be a little tooooooooooo expensive), I would really appreciate a precise answer on this topic within the foreseeable future<br>
<br>
About the eagle...<br>
did they always look the same (like on top of this page), or were they (rather) of different types ?<br>
Images on coins and reliefs do differ (as far as I know).<br>
Is a laurel wreath optional or a necessity ?<br>
<br>
Greetings,<br>
Flavius Promotus <p></p><i></i>
Florian Himmler (not related!)
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#17
It's probably a good thing lion skins are expensive. I am told that the Romans would have used the skins of the now extinct Asiatic lion, a smaller beast than the African lion, rather than its larger cousin. That would mean that the head and mane of a modern African lion would probably be too big to be realistic on a Roman soldier.<br>
As for coins, I am pretty sure that a number of eagles are shown on coins, normally flanked by signa, but I don't have any books with me right now to refer to. Doubtless one of the other helpful souls on the RAT board will come up with some decent images.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers.  :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
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#18
Crispvs -<br>
<br>
I was joking about getting the public involved to fill in ranks. Although having a few random audience members [kids] come up (at the museum) to model repro helmets, or to hold up a scutum to show why the gladius is on the right side, et cetera, is not too bad. (the most I'd want to deal with is 2 at the most) I'd certainly not want to risk having a bunch of people suddently "jump in" as soldiers without any previous experience or knowledge.<br>
<br>
Back on topic on the Standard itself. If one does aquire a brass eagle or some other type sculpture, how does one attatch it to the pole itself? What other materials should I look for and aquire, and what should I expect to do to assemble and finish the standard?<br>
<br>
Do we know of any orginial examples or reference as to how an Aquila was constructed?<br>
<br>
thanks as always for the info.<br>
velete and happy holiday-season-whichever<br>
-ANDY <p></p><i></i>
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#19
Andy, I am sort of going to copy the one that has been reproduced. From that picture (you can check it out at Nix Imperial), I think a box made of brass sheet can be worked to make the base in which the eagle rests. Lightning can be cut from additional pieces of sheet, then soldered on to the base. Basically, all u need is a pattern and a mock-up and you can build anything. I'll probably be starting it sometime this new year, so I'll keep you posted. <p>Magnus/Matt<br>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix" Coh I<br>
<br>
"Lay your hand, or thy tongue against the greatness of Rome, and feel my wrath." - Matt Lanteigne<br>
<br>
- Number of posts: current +1248</p><i></i>
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#20
A Prototype of a full size, manificent eagle with upward sweeping wings encirled by a laurel wreath based on the LEG XIIII Musius tombstone in Mainz was cat in brass on my last Deepeeka visit. When this will be available to the public, anyone can say. I hope the prototype will be brought to Nurnburg for the IWA show in March. I believe most reconstructed eagles are too small, based on the dimunitive Napoleonic French birds. Gvien that at least one legion had a live eagle as a standard, one might assume metal eagles were life sized too. The deepeeka eagle is large.<br>
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Aqilifiers on Trajan's Column and the LEG XIIII Musius Stele have no animal pelt or helmet. The Aquilifier on the Louvre panel wears a lionskin and the eagle is large/life size.<br>
<br>
Vexillifiers on Trajans Column are likewise without helmet or animal skin.<br>
<br>
Praetorian signifiers have lionskins on one monument.<br>
<br>
Other signifiers wear bearskins and what may be leopardskins.<br>
<br>
I know of no evidence for wolfskins ever being worn by signifiers. They are worn as a unit distinction by everyone of an auxilliary cohort on Trajan's column. There is some question if this is what was even meant by Polybius when describing the dress of velites (it could have as easily meant pieces of fur glued to the helmet.<br>
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Use of wolfskins for signifiers is merely an example of reenactors imitating other reenactors.<br>
<br>
Five man 'Roman legions' are far more ridiculous than five man Civil War Regiments, which fortunately are no longer taken seriously. At displays when there are an adequate number of regular Roman troops for drill display, it is nice to have an Aquilifier along with other troop types for the 'military fashion show' part of the presentation. We try to do both. You can see this on the posted Ostia event thread.<br>
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<br>
Dan<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
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#21
Just to correct Crispus who I assume is referring to the Guard.<br>
We do allow members of the Public to join us usually by prior arrangement. The numbers are no more than 2 and we give them a good introduction and training session before they go out. When on display they are watched like a hawk and talked through the display.<br>
There is an action on the go at the moment with the trial in March but it involves not a member of the Public but a Guard member of some 2 years standing who broke his leg in the ditch at Kirby.<br>
The "Centurions Tent" is not displayed as an authentic tent. <p></p><i></i>
Quod imperatum fuerit facimus et ad omnem tesseram parati erimus
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#22
Sorry Derek,<br>
<br>
No offence intended.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers.  :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
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