12-09-2006, 03:55 PM
Quote:I have just been looking at James' Dura book recently and he remarks on the similarity of some equipment from across the empire. There was certainly a 'uniform' soldiers look in the third century. Undoubtedly not everything is exactly the same as if produced in a modern factory but they were getting there. I have seen boots in South Wales which look identical and could even have been made by the same person who made a pair of boots found in Dura, which is as about as empire wide as you can get. The helmets may not all be the same but they appear to follow a few basic patterns. The tunics likewise were certainly produced in a few basic sizes but you are quite right there is no evidence as yet that the entire army had the same decoration.
Especially with the helmets, which seem to have been made is parts that were later assembled. I would have expected to see much more similarity.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
