06-10-2008, 07:31 PM
I suspect our views on various reconstructions are partly formed by the illustrations we enjoyed in our youth. But it was never the pictures of battles that excited me. I was interested in illustrations of barrack rooms.
One day I intend to buy a simple garden shed and install it in the back garden. I will to the best of my ability furnish it as a Roman barrack room, probably for three cavalrymen - myself and two sons. I do not yet aspire to live in a villa, although that would be great. I intend to start small and work up.
I would be interested in people's views of various illustrations of barrack rooms. And I would be interested in reconstructions of barrack rooms.
My benchmark starts with Embleton's and Graham's 1984 "Hadrian's Wall in the Days of the Romans". Embleton illustrated a cavalry barrack room with bare walls and bunk beds. There is no hearth to warm the soldier coming in from the torrential rain. The soldiers look very uniformly British and stoical. I bought the book in 1986, it gives great atmosphere, and was good start.
Jumping forward we have "The roman Fort" by Peter Connolly. Connolly played a major part in forming my view of Roman life. His barrack room, indeed entire block, shows a clean uniform system of bunk beds and matching bed covers. He discusses the possible construction of the barracks, sleeping arrangements and shows fireplaces.
I really like Graham Sumner's illustration of a barrack room at Vindolanda, readily available in "Garrison Life on The Roman Frontier" by Birley. We get a hearth, bunk beds, graffiti and lots of straw on the floor. I like the atmosphere.
Angus McBride in "Imperial Rome at War" gives us a friendly dirty very large room with a roaring fire. I like the graffiti and the wattle and daub walls in need of repair.
Graham Hodgson, an old Comitatus member, has done a black and white illustration of a cavalry barrack at from Wallsend. The rear room, roughly 12 feet by 12, have room for 3 beds and seems a good source for inspiration.
I have only been to Wallsend once, although I'll be back there this August with a horse. I vaguely remember a reconstructed barrack room. I've stayed in the Arbeia versions more times than I care to remember. Compared to these the reconstructed room at Cirencester looked a little poor. But I really enjoyed the rest of the museum.
Could people give me other pictures or reconstructions to enjoy?
One day I intend to buy a simple garden shed and install it in the back garden. I will to the best of my ability furnish it as a Roman barrack room, probably for three cavalrymen - myself and two sons. I do not yet aspire to live in a villa, although that would be great. I intend to start small and work up.
I would be interested in people's views of various illustrations of barrack rooms. And I would be interested in reconstructions of barrack rooms.
My benchmark starts with Embleton's and Graham's 1984 "Hadrian's Wall in the Days of the Romans". Embleton illustrated a cavalry barrack room with bare walls and bunk beds. There is no hearth to warm the soldier coming in from the torrential rain. The soldiers look very uniformly British and stoical. I bought the book in 1986, it gives great atmosphere, and was good start.
Jumping forward we have "The roman Fort" by Peter Connolly. Connolly played a major part in forming my view of Roman life. His barrack room, indeed entire block, shows a clean uniform system of bunk beds and matching bed covers. He discusses the possible construction of the barracks, sleeping arrangements and shows fireplaces.
I really like Graham Sumner's illustration of a barrack room at Vindolanda, readily available in "Garrison Life on The Roman Frontier" by Birley. We get a hearth, bunk beds, graffiti and lots of straw on the floor. I like the atmosphere.
Angus McBride in "Imperial Rome at War" gives us a friendly dirty very large room with a roaring fire. I like the graffiti and the wattle and daub walls in need of repair.
Graham Hodgson, an old Comitatus member, has done a black and white illustration of a cavalry barrack at from Wallsend. The rear room, roughly 12 feet by 12, have room for 3 beds and seems a good source for inspiration.
I have only been to Wallsend once, although I'll be back there this August with a horse. I vaguely remember a reconstructed barrack room. I've stayed in the Arbeia versions more times than I care to remember. Compared to these the reconstructed room at Cirencester looked a little poor. But I really enjoyed the rest of the museum.
Could people give me other pictures or reconstructions to enjoy?
John Conyard
York
A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com
York
A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com