06-14-2004, 05:14 PM
At the Roman Days festival on Sat., I caught Matt's explanation of where his marching commands came from, which, if I remember correctly, was the Strategikon.<br>
<br>
(Incidently, congrats to Legio XX, with an assist on the part of Legio XXIV, for a very successful event!)<br>
<br>
When I checked into the Strategikon, I found that it was not only not the easiest source to find a good edition of, it was also in Greek, so I thought... hmm.... the text is in Greek, but the commands are in Latin...<br>
<br>
But, then, I've read that Latin remained the language of the army until sometime around (correct me if I'm wrong) the mid-600s. [An aside: this gives more credibility to Ross Cowan's East Roman (c. 280-640) vs. Byzantine (post 640) distinction and periodization.] In fact, I think I remember reading this in Norwich last year. But anyway, I wanted to make sure that I got this straight: Latin marching commands, out of a Late Roman, (otherwise) Greek language source; is that correct?<br>
<br>
In addition, Matt, you mention that you know of similar Greek-language commands from another source. Can you tell me any more about them?<br>
<br>
I'm envisioning doing something like the "Kid's Cohort" thing that you were doing with the 3rd graders in my school, except that I'd like to do some Greek commands (with round cardboard shields) in the Fall and Latin ones (with rectangular ones) in the Spring. I talked with one of our 3rd grade teachers, and she's already highly enthusiastic.<br>
<br>
(Another aside: she's also interested in perhaps taking a field trip to an event like Roman Days sometime next year. Do you have any things like it during the school year?)<br>
<br>
Aaron <p></p><i></i>
<br>
(Incidently, congrats to Legio XX, with an assist on the part of Legio XXIV, for a very successful event!)<br>
<br>
When I checked into the Strategikon, I found that it was not only not the easiest source to find a good edition of, it was also in Greek, so I thought... hmm.... the text is in Greek, but the commands are in Latin...<br>
<br>
But, then, I've read that Latin remained the language of the army until sometime around (correct me if I'm wrong) the mid-600s. [An aside: this gives more credibility to Ross Cowan's East Roman (c. 280-640) vs. Byzantine (post 640) distinction and periodization.] In fact, I think I remember reading this in Norwich last year. But anyway, I wanted to make sure that I got this straight: Latin marching commands, out of a Late Roman, (otherwise) Greek language source; is that correct?<br>
<br>
In addition, Matt, you mention that you know of similar Greek-language commands from another source. Can you tell me any more about them?<br>
<br>
I'm envisioning doing something like the "Kid's Cohort" thing that you were doing with the 3rd graders in my school, except that I'd like to do some Greek commands (with round cardboard shields) in the Fall and Latin ones (with rectangular ones) in the Spring. I talked with one of our 3rd grade teachers, and she's already highly enthusiastic.<br>
<br>
(Another aside: she's also interested in perhaps taking a field trip to an event like Roman Days sometime next year. Do you have any things like it during the school year?)<br>
<br>
Aaron <p></p><i></i>
