02-19-2014, 09:05 PM
Hello Tobias
Firstly is your tunic for a civilian or military impression? Secondly Jurjen has also asked some other questions which you will need to answer. As you may have guessed by now the subject is a lot more complex and there is more information on clothing now than was available when the Osprey Praetorian book was written. You can read M. Pausch, Die römische Tunika or my own book 'Roman Military Dress' which is available via Amazon.
Some quick answers to your questions based on the assumption you want to be a Legionary of the early empire.
I plan to use wool for my tunic but I’m not sure about the color / position of the clavi.
Wool is the most authentic material and was even used in Egypt although some tunics in the eastern countries were in linen. The clavi are two vertical stripes either side of the neck opening. They varied in size depending on status but the rules were not followed closely.
Color of the clavi:
What is the exact color of the clavi? Imperial Purple or red? In the Osprey book the clavi are Imperial purple but other sources say they were red.
It is not certain if military tunics at this period had clavi. There are not many original sources. Assuming they did follow civilian fashion then clavi could be in a variety of colours. Many are in the red to purple range but you can get green, blue dark, blue, grey and black examples.
Position of the clavi:
What is the correct position of the clavi: Left or right on my attached picture?
The image in the attached picture is wrong for first century clavi. As mentioned above they were vertical stripes either side of the neck opening. Later tunic decoration was much more complex.
Wool for tunic:
Were the tunics completely white or more of natural color (beige)?
It would appear that soldiers wore specially bleached tunics for special occasions. Otherwise they would probably wear an unbleached un-dyed tunic. Many of the un-dyed tunics found at the fort of Dydimoi had a beige appearance. Un-dyed wool can come in a variety of shades. I have suggested that soldiers may also have worn a third tunic for battle which may have been reddish. This may also have been an un-dyed wool tunic but more expensive versions could have been dyed with madder and really expensive ones dyed with the scarlet dye from the Kermes. It does appear that red was regarded by the Romans as a traditional military colour but it also appears that other colours were used although chiefly for cloaks rather than tunics.
Pattern:
Is there a standard pattern for a roman tunic? I found this one (see picture). Any other recommendations?
The pattern you have shown is suitable for tunics from the third century A.D but not really for earlier imperial examples. These tended to be simple rectangular shapes which were usually wider than they were long. They did not have sleeves but because they are so wide the material hangs down the arms. There is a military document from Egypt which gives the size for a military tunic. This is a frightening 1.55m long by 1.40m wide. It is possible tunics of this size would then be adjusted to fit the individual and a surviving tunic from Israel measuring 1.0 m long by 1.15m wide seems a good size for an adult male.
I hope this helps but you will find much more information in the books.
Graham
Firstly is your tunic for a civilian or military impression? Secondly Jurjen has also asked some other questions which you will need to answer. As you may have guessed by now the subject is a lot more complex and there is more information on clothing now than was available when the Osprey Praetorian book was written. You can read M. Pausch, Die römische Tunika or my own book 'Roman Military Dress' which is available via Amazon.
Some quick answers to your questions based on the assumption you want to be a Legionary of the early empire.
I plan to use wool for my tunic but I’m not sure about the color / position of the clavi.
Wool is the most authentic material and was even used in Egypt although some tunics in the eastern countries were in linen. The clavi are two vertical stripes either side of the neck opening. They varied in size depending on status but the rules were not followed closely.
Color of the clavi:
What is the exact color of the clavi? Imperial Purple or red? In the Osprey book the clavi are Imperial purple but other sources say they were red.
It is not certain if military tunics at this period had clavi. There are not many original sources. Assuming they did follow civilian fashion then clavi could be in a variety of colours. Many are in the red to purple range but you can get green, blue dark, blue, grey and black examples.
Position of the clavi:
What is the correct position of the clavi: Left or right on my attached picture?
The image in the attached picture is wrong for first century clavi. As mentioned above they were vertical stripes either side of the neck opening. Later tunic decoration was much more complex.
Wool for tunic:
Were the tunics completely white or more of natural color (beige)?
It would appear that soldiers wore specially bleached tunics for special occasions. Otherwise they would probably wear an unbleached un-dyed tunic. Many of the un-dyed tunics found at the fort of Dydimoi had a beige appearance. Un-dyed wool can come in a variety of shades. I have suggested that soldiers may also have worn a third tunic for battle which may have been reddish. This may also have been an un-dyed wool tunic but more expensive versions could have been dyed with madder and really expensive ones dyed with the scarlet dye from the Kermes. It does appear that red was regarded by the Romans as a traditional military colour but it also appears that other colours were used although chiefly for cloaks rather than tunics.
Pattern:
Is there a standard pattern for a roman tunic? I found this one (see picture). Any other recommendations?
The pattern you have shown is suitable for tunics from the third century A.D but not really for earlier imperial examples. These tended to be simple rectangular shapes which were usually wider than they were long. They did not have sleeves but because they are so wide the material hangs down the arms. There is a military document from Egypt which gives the size for a military tunic. This is a frightening 1.55m long by 1.40m wide. It is possible tunics of this size would then be adjusted to fit the individual and a surviving tunic from Israel measuring 1.0 m long by 1.15m wide seems a good size for an adult male.
I hope this helps but you will find much more information in the books.
Graham
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.
"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
