01-24-2007, 07:43 PM
Something else to consider guys, some fundamental differences in the pteryges worn by different people.
The pteryges worn by Tribunes, Emperors, etc. were likely made out of the best, most expensive materials. Silk, linen. They could afford to be made thus. However, both the Adamklissi and T's Column show regular rank and file legionarys and auxilliarys in pteryges (looks like single row as well). Can you imagine the cost of equipping serveral thousand soldiers at least in high cost linen pteryges? This is not feasible, especially if you are considering doing double, triple, quadrupple rows.
Also look at their intended use. My belief is that they weren't used for defense, but rather as a traditional sign of rank or a soldier, depeding on the number of pteryges and rows. If you look at those of very high rank, we see multiple rows, using some type of white textile. Contrast that to those seen on lower ranked soldiers, and it appears to be a single row, material unknown at this point (see also Connolly's Legionary illustrations). Based on the grave stones of centurions, it looks to me as though they fall somewhere in the middle, leaning towards the pteryges of the emperors and tribunes they wish to exemplify.
The pteryges worn by Tribunes, Emperors, etc. were likely made out of the best, most expensive materials. Silk, linen. They could afford to be made thus. However, both the Adamklissi and T's Column show regular rank and file legionarys and auxilliarys in pteryges (looks like single row as well). Can you imagine the cost of equipping serveral thousand soldiers at least in high cost linen pteryges? This is not feasible, especially if you are considering doing double, triple, quadrupple rows.
Also look at their intended use. My belief is that they weren't used for defense, but rather as a traditional sign of rank or a soldier, depeding on the number of pteryges and rows. If you look at those of very high rank, we see multiple rows, using some type of white textile. Contrast that to those seen on lower ranked soldiers, and it appears to be a single row, material unknown at this point (see also Connolly's Legionary illustrations). Based on the grave stones of centurions, it looks to me as though they fall somewhere in the middle, leaning towards the pteryges of the emperors and tribunes they wish to exemplify.
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Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD