09-06-2005, 03:46 PM
The Romans had all the fun.
However, I get the impression from reading ancient texts that public nudity was offensive. By the time of the empire, the public was used to spectacle, but not in the Republic. Octavian was quite a moralist.
The clothing is all chintz. However, they did break one barrier, which is the hamata. That simply has never been done before, so we all ought to be thankful. The Trajanic helmets and braccae are out of place though. They just can't get away from drab colors for legionary clothing, however. Why not a camoflauge pattern? That ought to satisfy our modern cravings for grubby soldiers.
I don't think the story of the dying days of the Republic has ever been told with any attempt at being comprehensive before. Everyone thinks the Romans always had emperors and that Julius Caesar was the first emperor, which is hogwash. Even Octavian did not consider himself an emperor.
However, I get the impression from reading ancient texts that public nudity was offensive. By the time of the empire, the public was used to spectacle, but not in the Republic. Octavian was quite a moralist.
The clothing is all chintz. However, they did break one barrier, which is the hamata. That simply has never been done before, so we all ought to be thankful. The Trajanic helmets and braccae are out of place though. They just can't get away from drab colors for legionary clothing, however. Why not a camoflauge pattern? That ought to satisfy our modern cravings for grubby soldiers.
I don't think the story of the dying days of the Republic has ever been told with any attempt at being comprehensive before. Everyone thinks the Romans always had emperors and that Julius Caesar was the first emperor, which is hogwash. Even Octavian did not consider himself an emperor.
"In war as in loving, you must always keep shoving." George S. Patton, Jr.