Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Frustrated wannabe roman
#1
Excuse me if this is in the wrong place being new to this
:oops:
How do you start out if you have limited funds :oops: Cry , I feel I could make most things( if show the easy way to do it) what should I start with 1st? I suppose caligae ?


Frustrated wanbe roman
real name Paul

In hoc signo vinces

Xp
introducing Men To the good news of Jesus Christ
Reply
#2
Hi Paul,

I would say get a tunic (not too cheap stuff) and find a group. Better even, do it the other way round. The group members should be able to help you a lot in (almost) all aspects.

Think over what you want to achieve - first, later. With a tunic only you could be a slave, driver, farmer, worker. Read books on what those people did and how they lived and you will have a lot and sometimes more interesting things to tell to people on events than the standard walking hardware store.
You can changeinto other roles as you develop your knowledge and your equipment.

For me in this hobby the most important thing is to research things and tell people who care to listen about it. You don't need much equipment for that.
Reply
#3
tunic, shoes(caligue), scarf, maybe cloak, bag etc

small stuff like that that takes time but not a whole lot of money.
Tiberius Claudius Lupus

Chuck Russell
Keyser,WV, USA
[url:em57ti3w]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/flonzy/Roman/index.htm[/url]
Reply
#4
Martin is right: tunic could be the first thing. Moreover consider that a late Empire roman soldier basic impression (IV century AD) is cheaper than the most of other periods.

Tunic: a T long-sleeved, red or white one.

Helmet: a simple Intercisa type (a real one: [url:8lq801hm]http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/option,com_helmets/task,view/cid,68/Itemid,96/[/url]) could be gotten by yourself by hammering iron sheets or asking a friend metalsmith for it.

Shield: a disc of painted plywood with an umbo (boss) you could simply hammer from an iron sheet, or asking a friend metalsmith for it.

Spear: you could get by yourself the iron spearhead or asking a friend metalsmith for it.

Shoes: some types (campagi) are very simple to make by yourself and you can avoid to make them nailed too.

Belt: some types are very simple, really "basic"!

Trousers: you can easily adapt some everyday wool pants

Leg-wraps: very, very easy

Pileus pannonicus: very, very easy

Dig Roman Army Talk forum to find any info you need and see also at:

[url:8lq801hm]http://111935.aceboard.fr/i-111935.htm[/url] ("late" forum in french, very, very good)

and the "compulsory" websites by the clarissimi RAT members,

Robert/Valerius:

[url:8lq801hm]http://www.fectio.org.uk/fectio.htm[/url]

And Paul:

[url:8lq801hm]http://www.comitatus.net/roman.htm[/url]

Loads of info to download...

Vale,
TITVS/Daniele Sabatini

... Tu modo nascenti puero, quo ferrea primum
desinet ac toto surget Gens Aurea mundo,
casta faue Lucina; tuus iam regnat Apollo ...


Vergilius, Bucolicae, ecloga IV, 4-10
[Image: PRIMANI_ban2.gif]
Reply
#5
Join a local group...

The resources and assistance from others will be invaluable!
Hibernicus

LEGIO IX HISPANA, USA

You cannot dig ditches in a toga!

[url:194jujcw]http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org[/url]
A nationwide club with chapters across N America
Reply
#6
Hi
If you joined a group like The Ermine Street Guard, all your kit would be provided. If you wanted to improve things, help would be given to point you in the right direction.

Check their website for contact details, members live all over the country including Essex.

Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.

"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.

"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
Reply
#7
Ave!

If you want to make stuff, try the Legio XX site,

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/

It's not always easy, but yeah, a lot of the stuff can be home-made. And yes, definitely find a local group if you can!

Good luck,

Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
Reply
#8
thanks to all
Big Grin
some good ideas Idea
real name Paul

In hoc signo vinces

Xp
introducing Men To the good news of Jesus Christ
Reply
#9
I have found that sometimes it is better to visit several local groups. In fact, the whole, "I'm a member of this group" mentality may keep you from doing what you want to do.

I have been in many groups, and I am still a member of several, but when one group 'demands' that I join it and it only, I step back. Maybe they have 'special deals' or will only help their members get armored up, but then you have to agree to their rules and go to their events. So many re-enactors identify with "LEGIO Z", ('I am a member of LEGIO Z!'), and don't attend events where their 'legio' is not specifically invited. Several "LEGIO Z's" will not allow people from other groups to attend "THEIR" events and displays. I see this as a 'power trip' as much as anything else.

First, study the options, this is a great place to do that! Do you have more interest in Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain or in Hadrian's Wall, or in Late Roman / Romano-Britain life and history? That will help you decide what costume to work on. Next get the basic clothing. People might loan you armor, helmets, spears, shields, but you need your own foot-gear, and your own tunic and cloak. You may need more than one tunic, if you 'fall-in' with more than one group. The tunic wars continue.... :lol:

If there are no local groups, (or your transportation is limited), you might want to consider an auxiliary impression. Most decent groups will let a properly equipped auxiliary join them, for an event.

I can recommend Matt Amt's LEGIO XX site as a great starting place, but remember not all groups will have the same standards.
Caius Fabius Maior
Charles Foxtrot
moderator, Roman Army Talk
link to the rules for posting
[url:2zv11pbx]http://romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=22853[/url]
Reply
#10
Nice to have met and chatted at the weekend event Paul, I hope that you liked what you saw :wink:

Feel free to get in touch for any info! Big Grin
Reply
#11
Quote:"I'm a member of this group" mentality may keep you from doing what you want to do.

I find it absolutely true: joining a group is really great, but if you're rightly expected to be fair and "faithful" towards it, you ought to maintain at the same a certain indipendence too. For example if you like an event, don't accept to avoid it just if your centurio says "no", but make you own kit for attending any "not approved" events or periods you like. I know good guys who should love to attend events or period prohibited by the group but they don't due to the fear of loosing the possibility to use the association kit: it's insane to me, just the scheduled training, reconstruction or events days of the group has to be respected, in other days: freedom!

Vale,
TITVS/Daniele Sabatini

... Tu modo nascenti puero, quo ferrea primum
desinet ac toto surget Gens Aurea mundo,
casta faue Lucina; tuus iam regnat Apollo ...


Vergilius, Bucolicae, ecloga IV, 4-10
[Image: PRIMANI_ban2.gif]
Reply
#12
Paul,

When assembling your gear, it's sometimes tough to decide where to start. For this reason, a brief tutorial is offered here from our Legio XI "Handbook for Legionaries" to guide a new recruit in "a way" to proceed.

This is not the only way. This hobby is different for all of us, but these tips are ones that some of us have learned the hard way through trial and error.

Having said that, this is the order I would recommend:

1) Caligae. Since feet are individual and you will be spending a lot of time on them, I would get your Caligae FIRST! You can borrow many kit items from other re-enactors, but caligae are the hardest items to borrow and your feet will pay for it if the ones you borrow don't fit.

2) Tunica/Focale. These are easily made at the same time. Either follow the instructions on the "Tunica" link from the "Handbook for Legionaries" page, or contact the Centurio. I prefer the "teabag" pattern with no sleeves, but many options are possible. This thing should fit you like a tent, and I can supply you with a pattern and potential fabric choices.

3) Balteus. Every legionary should make his own balteus. This item teaches you many skills that you will need as you work on your complete kit -- leatherworking, metal work, riveting, etc. All great skills. Several good suppliers of parts out there, from relatively inexpensive to expensive. Contact the centurio before you order plates or even whole baltei that are not accurate and a waste of money.

4) Gladius. For the gladius, you can go with an inexpensive option, or you can get expensive (Albion or Mark Morrow). If you are planning to order a custom blade, plan on it taking several months to arrive. Albion ships pretty quickly, as does Find-It Armory. Albion and Mark Morrow are well worth the money, but that's up to the individual legionary. Probably the best inexpensive gladii for the money are the #SDK1171 Pompeii-style gladius from Find-It Armory and the SOTW0040 gladius from Soul of the Warrior. Chris (Find-It) and Rusty Myers (SOTW) usually have them in stock, and they are both good buys at $85-$95. Talk to the centurio for more gladius advice.

5) Pugio and Scabbard. Again, lots of options here. Inexpensive: from Deepeeka (the Brass Beaded and Plain Steel versions) to the very nice version from Soul of the Warrior (SOTW0028). Expensive: Custom work from Len Morgan (Fabrica) or Mark Morrow. You get what you pay for. Bottom line -- whatever option you choose will take awhile, so order early from SOTW, Find-It, or your custom maker.

Once you have 1-5, then you have enough kit to attend events in the "little," or "off-duty" uniform of the legionary.

6) Galea. Order this one early (as soon as you can afford it) from the “Approvedâ€
Gaius Aurelius Calvus
(Edge Gibbons)

Moderator
Rules for Posting

LEG XI CPF
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.11thlegion.com">http://www.11thlegion.com


"Mens est clavis victoriae."
Reply
#13
Either way, good luck Paul! This is one rewarding hobby, and once you start, it's an addiction (but a good one!)
____________________________________________________________
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité

Legion: TBD
Reply
#14
Maybe start with researching all roman wine and beer to start with
:wink:
then I’m sure to have many helpers ? :wink:
real name Paul

In hoc signo vinces

Xp
introducing Men To the good news of Jesus Christ
Reply
#15
Quote:Maybe start with researching all roman wine and beer to start with
:wink:
then I’m sure to have many helpers ? :wink:


Brilliant! ;-) )

Actually, it's not a bad idea to start with a civilian impression and add onto it. For a civilian you just need a tunic, belt, cloak, and shoes. Not all of these will translate into a soldier's outfit, and the specifics will certainly depend on what period you choose. But it's a good place to start.

And every local group needs a good vintner, right?
Aurelia Coritana
aka Laura Sweet
[url:3tjsw0iy]http://www.theromanway.org[/url]
[url:3tjsw0iy]http://www.legionten.org[/url]

Si vales, gaudeo. (If you are well, then I am happy.)
Reply


Forum Jump: