Tattoo

[Alanus]

Evidently, Joe, tattooing was also "fit" for marking newly-recruited Roman soldiers... as described by Vegetius (through Michael Kerr) in the post just above yours. The "barbarians" of Inner Asia used tattoos within the context of spiritual linkage to animals, particularly the horse-creature (combination of a horse, raptor, and red deer). This would be a positive and intellectually "necessary" use of tattooing, far beyond the shortcomings of Greek and Roman thought. It was also consummate art.