A Niedermörmter type Helmet with Newstead Segmental Armour

[Crispvs]

Fabius,

I won't comment on shoes as they are not my area of speciality and Martin can answer your questions on these far better than I. I would however agree that the caligae shown in the photo are uncontestably incorrect.

On the front of the photograph in Dan Peterson's book, I think that the impression is quite good but should be updated to show Bishop's reconstruction of the Newstead armour and a military belt should definitely be present. There is evidence to show that military belts continued to be important aspects of soldiers' identity right up until the closing decades of the western empire. The remains of these belts often show them to have been functional and it seems unlikely that there was a period when they were not worn with armour or that they were worn in an invisible and inaccessable position under armour. I think that there would have been a degree of overlap between the Italic 'H' and the 'Cavalry' 'D' and 'E'. Crossed re-enforcments such are fond on these latter helmets begin to be found from the Antonine period on. Thus there is a high chance that all of these helmets are reasonable contemporary.
Incidentally, something I noticed during a display by Cohors Quinta Gallorum was that when an Italic 'H' is fitted with the large cheek guards of a third century helmet, the differences between them seem so much smaller.

Crispvs