12-15-2008, 11:41 AM
About Vegetius,
I read from him (translation in French, so sorry I do not have the text) in his book about "ancient Rome", where he describe the roman armies at the "good old times", the shining of the armor, weapon and helmet is verry important.
According to his words (aproximatly, from memory and with my bad Englich), "an army shining in the sun is imposing and wonderfull and it must be that way. A soldier with a bad-maintained sword show he is not dissiplined to the ennemy. No one is impressed with a rusted sword".
It is roman and late roman (Vegetius did what he could in his book and had some sources but some holes in thoses too and Ideals to express) but I thought it could be interesting.
We have that kind of discuss in the medieval reconstitutions too, and the concensus seems that mirror shine is quite possible and some sources have shown methods and meens. (especially XV century)
The reasons and motivations is all but the same : the army must show order, discipline and shine.
Even now, in our modern armies, that thing remain. Boots must be perfecto, weapons must be clean and well maintained...
And if, as Matthew says, there is evidence for Ancient Greece, I think the question is ansered !
I read from him (translation in French, so sorry I do not have the text) in his book about "ancient Rome", where he describe the roman armies at the "good old times", the shining of the armor, weapon and helmet is verry important.
According to his words (aproximatly, from memory and with my bad Englich), "an army shining in the sun is imposing and wonderfull and it must be that way. A soldier with a bad-maintained sword show he is not dissiplined to the ennemy. No one is impressed with a rusted sword".
It is roman and late roman (Vegetius did what he could in his book and had some sources but some holes in thoses too and Ideals to express) but I thought it could be interesting.
We have that kind of discuss in the medieval reconstitutions too, and the concensus seems that mirror shine is quite possible and some sources have shown methods and meens. (especially XV century)
The reasons and motivations is all but the same : the army must show order, discipline and shine.
Even now, in our modern armies, that thing remain. Boots must be perfecto, weapons must be clean and well maintained...
And if, as Matthew says, there is evidence for Ancient Greece, I think the question is ansered !
Proximus (Gregory Fleury)
