06-30-2011, 07:02 AM
Well, a four horned saddle is shown on the Monument of the Julii at St Remy, dating to the mid first century BC and many are shown on mid first century AD cavalry stelae. The Carlisle covers probably date to the early second century AD. Even this small sample gives a range of around a hundred and fifty years. So if something was used for a hundred and fifty years or more it is hardly likely that it was thought to be unsatisfactory. In fact such a timespan suggests that it was felt to be ideal for a considerable time.
There seems to be no appreciable difference between the features of the saddles shown on the mid first century AD stelae and the features exhibited by the Carlisle covers, meaning that whatever changes may have occurred in saddle design since Caesar's time, between perhaps the AD30s and the AD130s four horned saddle design remained unchanged. As the saddle you are trying to recreate presumably fall within this period you should be taking the evidence of the Carlisle covers, with their horns, skirts and evidence of frames and a lack of padding, along with copper-alloy horn plates as the primary features of your reconstructions and experimenting with these proven elements to come up with a saddle which is in accordance with all of these elements and at the same time works on a horse (presumably with a suitable blanket) without hurting the horse.
If the reconstruction omits even one of the elements I have listed, then it simply will not qualify as a reconstruction of a Roman saddle and you will have learned nothing about Roman saddle design.
ALWAYS start with the contemporary evidence and work out from there. NEVER use the evidence as little more than an adjunct to your understanding of the world we know today for a reconstruction.
Remember that the Romans used it for a long time so it must have worked well. Reconstruct your saddle from all of the known elements and see where it takes you - you never know - it might just take you to a correct and effective reconstruction from which we can learn much. :grin:
On the other hand, if you make yourself a pad.......... :evil:
Crispvs
There seems to be no appreciable difference between the features of the saddles shown on the mid first century AD stelae and the features exhibited by the Carlisle covers, meaning that whatever changes may have occurred in saddle design since Caesar's time, between perhaps the AD30s and the AD130s four horned saddle design remained unchanged. As the saddle you are trying to recreate presumably fall within this period you should be taking the evidence of the Carlisle covers, with their horns, skirts and evidence of frames and a lack of padding, along with copper-alloy horn plates as the primary features of your reconstructions and experimenting with these proven elements to come up with a saddle which is in accordance with all of these elements and at the same time works on a horse (presumably with a suitable blanket) without hurting the horse.
If the reconstruction omits even one of the elements I have listed, then it simply will not qualify as a reconstruction of a Roman saddle and you will have learned nothing about Roman saddle design.
ALWAYS start with the contemporary evidence and work out from there. NEVER use the evidence as little more than an adjunct to your understanding of the world we know today for a reconstruction.
Remember that the Romans used it for a long time so it must have worked well. Reconstruct your saddle from all of the known elements and see where it takes you - you never know - it might just take you to a correct and effective reconstruction from which we can learn much. :grin:
On the other hand, if you make yourself a pad.......... :evil:
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
