WHITE OR COLORED?

[Ironhand]

Will it really settle the debate? Too many assumptions are made from a little material. Remember when people used to assume about the senator's toga and tunics? I sincerely doubt there was a uniform color. It probably has more to do with what one could afford and whether you were willing to spend the extra money or spend it gambling or somewhere else. It is unknown what was issued and what the soldier picked up from a shop. It definately was not like the modern military where you only use whats issued. One thing I never want to hear again is that tunics were red because they didn't want to see the sight of blood. That has to be some overcivilized, citybred scholar who came up with that one. They're hard working men who probably shed blood in work and training on a daily basis. In war they're inured to the screams of dying comrades and the blood, gore, and stench of openning bowels of their enemy, but blood on a dying Roman's tunic who you know will die even without seeing it unnerves him? Makes no sense whatsoever. That's like a butcher being shocked that cows are living creatures. Plus, blood dries to a dark brown to black color and would still be visible on a red tunic. I don't doubt red tunics were used or were even the most popular. Soldiers only have so many things to spend money on and a good, attractive tunic would probably rate fairly high on the list. I'm sure they probably used both. Show me a social convention against wearing that type and I might be willing to swing one way or the other, but I think both were allowed and worn to some extend. The evidence shows that much, but we probably shouldn't assume more. I'm not saying a group should have to allow both. A group perfectly has the right to say one or the other in the same way an officer could order that and expect it to be obeyed. Just my two cents and I doubt anything that hasn't been said already. To prevent this from because a tunic thread if you want to talk maybe we should do it by PM.

P.S. I like your rhetorical question at the end of your comment. I don't think it really would solve anything since I don't think its a provable statement unless someone finds some miracle document decribing clothing conventions within the military for those who know nothing about Roman culture. The problem with most historical writings is that they are written with a semi-knowledgable audience in mind and because of that don't elaborate on details that everyone of the time should know. I think we do a pretty good job as reenactors considering what we do with sparse documentation and archaeology. Don't sweat the small stuff and don't stop having fun.