07-24-2010, 07:47 PM
Salvete Omnes!
Has anybody done research into how legionaries stored bread and grain while on campaign? Was it stored individually by miles or collectively per Contubernium? What storage vessels were used? I know modern methods are to store bread in an airtight transparent bag but that would not have been possible for the legionary.
I've done some experimenting myself. I baked a basic wholegrain leavened loaf stored in a double lined linen bag and compared it to a loaf stored inside double lined bag put into leather bag. The results were better with the addition of the leather. In the case of the linen bag only the bread was still edible after 2 days whereas the linen and leather was a little better with the bread remaining edible for about 3 days (I know, it all depends on what you consider edible. If your hungry enough you'll eat dirt
)
Valete,
Nerva.
Has anybody done research into how legionaries stored bread and grain while on campaign? Was it stored individually by miles or collectively per Contubernium? What storage vessels were used? I know modern methods are to store bread in an airtight transparent bag but that would not have been possible for the legionary.
I've done some experimenting myself. I baked a basic wholegrain leavened loaf stored in a double lined linen bag and compared it to a loaf stored inside double lined bag put into leather bag. The results were better with the addition of the leather. In the case of the linen bag only the bread was still edible after 2 days whereas the linen and leather was a little better with the bread remaining edible for about 3 days (I know, it all depends on what you consider edible. If your hungry enough you'll eat dirt
)Valete,
Nerva.
MARCVS VLPIVS NERVA (aka Martin McAree)
www.romanarmy.ie
Legion Ireland - Roman Military Society of Ireland
Legionis XX Valeria Victrix Cohors VIII
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.romanarmy.ie
Legion Ireland - Roman Military Society of Ireland
Legionis XX Valeria Victrix Cohors VIII
[email protected]
[email protected]
