Optio equipment

[jbd_29349]

Other than that, maybe just have a slave follow you around, carrying your tablets and paperwork and saying "Yes, optio, right away, optio!" That would be a terrific and very useful rank indicator!

Would an optio have the right/money to have a slave?

[SOCL]

Other than that, maybe just have a slave follow you around, carrying your tablets and paperwork and saying "Yes, optio, right away, optio!" That would be a terrific and very useful rank indicator!

Would an optio have the right/money to have a slave?

I was always under the impression that if you had the money, you did as you liked. Isn't there some evidence that the legionaries of a contubernia would buy a sort of "common slave" for the unit? You know, for the upkeep of equipment and the cooking of food and such?...

[Felix Canus]

Isn't there some evidence that the legionaries of a contubernia would buy a sort of "common slave" for the unit? You know, for the upkeep of equipment and the cooking of food and such?...

There seems to be an argument whether or not the contubernia's calo was a slave or not, and that may have varied, but you are right that there was apparently a non-soldier in that position. But I am under the impression he was assigned to the contubernia rather than purchased directly by the soldiers. Again, this might vary, but I don't think the soldiers could have afforded to buy a reliable semi-skilled Latin-speaking slave on soldier pay.

[Gaius_Calvus]

Josh,

I think that MC Bishop and the other experts have confirmed the information I sent you in our email exchange.

So, as long as you don't mind not being able to explain why you are equipped the way you are, i.e., no ability to cite any historical evidence, then you can do whatever your centurio tells you to do.

Just hope no one asks you any hard questions! :wink:

Edge

[SOCL]

Just hope no one asks you any hard questions! :wink:

And if they do, just tell them your the optio and smack him with your staff. :lol: :wink:

[Gaius_Calvus]

But if it's me, you better have a big stick and be behind me.

[cacrispvs]

There is also this article on RomanHideout which shows a tombstone for a naval optio.

[Marcus Mummius]

There is also this article on RomanHideout which shows a tombstone for a naval optio.

Very interesting. Is it certain this is an optio? I don't know what text there is on the stone but going from the stele he could be a tribune too...

[Magnus]

He's wearing what look to be officer style pteryges too.

[Dan Diffendale]

Is it certain this is an optio? I don't know what text there is on the stone but going from the stele he could be a tribune too...

Part of the inscription reads Opt(io) de liburna Aurata -- "optio on the liburnian 'Aurata'".

[Tarbicus]

If you wanted to portray a naval optio be sure to steal things from your men :wink:
link from old RAT

[cacrispvs]

Optios...can't trust a one of them!

[jbd_29349]

The article about the naval optio was interesting, thanks!

Optios...can't trust a one of them!

This coming from an optio!

[TIBISIVS]

This is the Legio I Germanica optio image.
Datable in second half first century ,Trajanic - Hadrian's times

[cacrispvs]

Thanks for that Qvintvs..... Here's the same photo in higher resolution.

Interesting painting on the back of the scutum. Is that the "This-end-up" indicator?