Roxolani and Iaziges

[Robert Vermaat]

Hi Alan,

You are correct in that they were not feoderatii. :oops: However, when we look at the stone of the Iazyage draconarius now at Chester, we see an early spangenhelm and an akinakes carried in the steppe manner. It they had been completely kitted out in the Roman manner, I doubt that stone would have depicted what it did.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I think certain aspects of their steppe culture made it into Britain. There is also a ring-pommeled Iazage sword in the British Museum, found with coins of Commodus. It has, surprisingly, a round chape... a Roman army style that isn't supposed to show up until the 3rd century.

I won't say that NO steppe culture made it into the Roman army, which after all was keen to accept any influence it could use. take that draco for instance.
However, the rest is debatable.
The 'Iazyge' draconarius? Do we really know what sort of person is depicted here? He could be anything (although I usually support a 'sarmatian' origin regarding the proximity of the Chester fort).
An 'early spangenhelm'? I could not make that out from the lacking details, especially because the artist (as usual) chose to highlight the face and therefore diminish the helmet. If you look at the Lepontius helmet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thearmatura...otostream/), this shows similar details, and that one is usually regarded as a Late Roman ridge helmet. I see some 'brows' on this one that could make it into a ridge helmet as well, but the dating of this stone (is there even a secure one?) usually goes for an earlier type.
'Akinakes worn in the steppe manner'- now that I don't see, could you point out what you mean?