Crests in the combat

[marcii ulpi messala]

In the war of the Galias, Caesar says that in the battle against one of the peoples Belgas, the soldiers are surprised and these not time to place the crests of his helmets, the cheeks pieces neither adjusts, to remove the cases of the shields. For that the use is very important in combat of the crest in this epoch? Identification? Ranges? Were not they really important?

[Magnus]

The crests for the average troop probably wasn't significant in terms of distinguishing their rank, whereas a centurion, optio may have kept them on during combat. Plus it's better to have to only replace a few crests for the officers, rather than a century's worth of horsehair.

[marcii ulpi messala]

Nevertheless, Caesar gives him the same importance to the fact of not being able to place the crests before the combat on the helmets, since adjust the cheeks pieces or remove the case to the shield, steps that the common ones seem to be before entering combat. Was alone chance referring to the centurions?

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

I believe in Caesar's time crests were probably worn more than in later
Imperial eras. By the later dates they were mostly worn ceremonially for triumphs,etc IIRC.

[Crispvs]

Be careful with the Caesar reference. The word he uses is 'insignia' which is normally taken to mean crests but is still open to interpretation. If I recall correctly he also mentions the soldiers not having time to remove the covers from their helmets and shields. I do not recall anything about cheek guards.


Crispvs

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Helmet covers? :?

[Geoffrey]

Concerning the term “insigniaâ€

[marcii ulpi messala]

This one clear at the time, on that the different translators do not put in agreement. According to the translation that I read, it was referring to the crests (tails of hair probably in this period) and was saying adjusted the visors of the helmets, which I interpret like the cheeks pieces to be tied, to fulfill this purpose.

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

This one clear at the time, on that the different translators do not put in agreement. According to the translation that I read, it was referring to the crests (tails of hair probably in this period) and was saying adjusted the visors of the helmets, which I interpret like the cheeks pieces to be tied, to fulfill this purpose.

Ok, here is what the text says:

De bello Gallico, 2.20.5 (can be 2.21 in English translations)

Temporis tanta fuit exiguitas hostiumque tam paratus ad dimicandum animus ut non modo ad insignia accommodanda sed etiam ad galeas induendas scutisque tegimenta detrahenda tempus defuerit.


So, we do have the "insignia accommodanda" - however one interprets that, and "ad galeas induendas" - so nothing really about adjusting the cheek pieces, as far as I can tell, although, I guess, the interpretation of the "induo" - "to put on, assume, dress in" - can differ...

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

in other words, they were caught short, with their pants down, and had to hustle to form a sembalence of a battle line! It is not too hard to imagine the consternation and confusion of the moment! I will have to see how they interpret it in the Penguin translation! All I have to go on!