Thanks Nathan. I was under the impression that Septimius Severus specifically introduced the wearing of the spatha on the left side as one of the many privileges and concessions to the soldiers, as he attempted to consolidate power (among allowing soldiers to marry and live off-fort, wear rings, etc). The long sleeved tunic is, I think, a Dalmatian fashion that did not take hold until the 3rd century. Or so I thought. Looking at a source from Bishop, he seems to suggest the short sleeve tunic was still being worn during the Antonine period.
Russ
