05-17-2012, 11:01 PM
Not wishing to take the fascinating topic off on a tangent and having failed miserably to find a previous discussion on RAT via a search may I please ask a potentionally earth-shatteringly easy to answer question?
When (and by whom)did the differentiation between lorica segmentata armoured infantry become defined as "heavy" as opposed to lorica hamata/squamata armoured personnel being termed "light" infantry? Is it an ancient source or a modern interpretation/assumption?
As far as I am aware, light troops in the Republican period had no/very little armour in comparison. I can also see why one would not wish to wear LS on a horse but do hamata/squamata (and even plumata) wearers necessarily have to be light troops in Roman terms? After all a trooper wearing squamata (and his horse) is considered heavy cavalry - or is this also a misnomer?
And, while we're on the subject; Trajan's column is often trotted out as the source for LS. What about the Tropaeum Traiani (inset on the attached photo - if it loads)? Was this not also victory monument from the early 2nd century? And erected four years before Trajan's Column and, allegedly, made by the legionnaries themselves?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/rom...y_03.shtml
When (and by whom)did the differentiation between lorica segmentata armoured infantry become defined as "heavy" as opposed to lorica hamata/squamata armoured personnel being termed "light" infantry? Is it an ancient source or a modern interpretation/assumption?
As far as I am aware, light troops in the Republican period had no/very little armour in comparison. I can also see why one would not wish to wear LS on a horse but do hamata/squamata (and even plumata) wearers necessarily have to be light troops in Roman terms? After all a trooper wearing squamata (and his horse) is considered heavy cavalry - or is this also a misnomer?
And, while we're on the subject; Trajan's column is often trotted out as the source for LS. What about the Tropaeum Traiani (inset on the attached photo - if it loads)? Was this not also victory monument from the early 2nd century? And erected four years before Trajan's Column and, allegedly, made by the legionnaries themselves?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/rom...y_03.shtml
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
