07-24-2006, 02:46 PM
Basically I'm with Robert and David on this. Military formations of the Romans are just superior.
A few caveats however:
The strength and usefulness of the katana is GREATLY exaggerated and burnished by Hollywood. It's a good sword, it's not freaking Glamdring. Pattern welding remains the main technique of most Katanas. Pattern welding really has its limits, Katanas takes the techinque to its limits but I'd bet any Spanish blade from 16th Toledo would be superior.
The lamellar armor of the samurai is really better than expected.
Now how about a REAL question. Who is better, Samurai or a Byzantine Klibarnarii?
Travis
A few caveats however:
The strength and usefulness of the katana is GREATLY exaggerated and burnished by Hollywood. It's a good sword, it's not freaking Glamdring. Pattern welding remains the main technique of most Katanas. Pattern welding really has its limits, Katanas takes the techinque to its limits but I'd bet any Spanish blade from 16th Toledo would be superior.
The lamellar armor of the samurai is really better than expected.
Now how about a REAL question. Who is better, Samurai or a Byzantine Klibarnarii?
Travis
Theodoros of Smyrna (Byzantine name)
aka Travis Lee Clark (21st C. American name)
Moderator, RAT
Rules for RAT:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?Rules">http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?Rules for posting
Oh! and the Toledo helmet .... oh hell, forget it. :? <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" />:?
aka Travis Lee Clark (21st C. American name)
Moderator, RAT
Rules for RAT:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?Rules">http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?Rules for posting
Oh! and the Toledo helmet .... oh hell, forget it. :? <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" />:?
