Tattoos in Roman Military/Society

[Tarbicus]

not that a legionare couldnt afford to dye his clothing but as it would be extra cost and time, perhaps why?

Why engrave intricate decorative motifs and symbols onto helmets? Why enamel them, or silver or tin them? Why fringe a sagum or have it tablet woven or even use intricate plaids? Why inlay silver, niello, brass or enamel into pugio sheaths and belts? Why tin umbones and spinae? Why paint your career's journeys onto your shield cover? Why engrave hamata hooks, and emboss pectorals, and engrave mythical characters into your cheek pieces? Why not just have a plain wooden scabbard with a crappy bit of leather sewn onto it and not bother with the decorative lockets, chapes, etc?

Unless all that cost so much you couldn't afford a simply dyed tunic which your mother, wife or sister might have made for you anyway? Not that I'm suggesting that pretty much every household in the ancient world could have made these on a regular basis. :wink: