01-22-2012, 07:32 PM
Quote:When looking at those pictures you show of the little chap from Bonn would he not of course hold an officer type status being a standard bearer.He is in fact holding two shafts, like most of the auxiliary infantry on Rhineland tombstones, so I don't think he is a standard bearer.
Quote:What can tend to also confuse is when we read Josephus in regard to a soldiers weapons, are we to take it as being what Josephus sees looking directly at a soldier, or is it his interpretation of his own right and left.The interesting point is that most of the Rhineland soldiers wear the sword on (their!) right hip, but this chap has it on his left. The Josephus quote is a wonderful red herring, I'm afraid, which can be used to support either favoured side.
Mike Bishop
