02-26-2013, 10:49 PM
Thank you, Gentleman, for your perspectives.
I already find some interesting ideas...Virilis, last year I read Simon James' Rome and the Sword and was duly fascinated by the development of the Roman gladius into the spatha. The late Roman spatha strikes me as very Medival, although I am basing that purely on aesthetics, nothing as detailed as production methods, or metallurgical composition. I would agree that many late Roman blades are very beautiful.
Mark - although I am not a re-enactor myself, I definitely understand what you mean about there being a plethora of 1st century AD groups (and some of questionable representation). I myself am tired of the same old seggy + mid-1st century Gallic helm representation we see over and over again. Not to disparage those who are engaged in re-enacting this period, but I enjoy individualistic variation! My true Roman love interest is the High Republic to Civil Wars, a period we see very, very few enthusiastic representations of. Perhaps someday I'll be able to give it a go. Early Roman/Etruscan hoplite would indeed be quite interesting...
Epictetus, I have never set myself to reading Gibbon. In fact, I have never read any of the original sources other than Caesar's Gallic Campaigns. I wonder if it wouldn't be best to read as many of the original sources through chronologically (subject matter-wise) before reading any more modern synopses?
I already find some interesting ideas...Virilis, last year I read Simon James' Rome and the Sword and was duly fascinated by the development of the Roman gladius into the spatha. The late Roman spatha strikes me as very Medival, although I am basing that purely on aesthetics, nothing as detailed as production methods, or metallurgical composition. I would agree that many late Roman blades are very beautiful.
Mark - although I am not a re-enactor myself, I definitely understand what you mean about there being a plethora of 1st century AD groups (and some of questionable representation). I myself am tired of the same old seggy + mid-1st century Gallic helm representation we see over and over again. Not to disparage those who are engaged in re-enacting this period, but I enjoy individualistic variation! My true Roman love interest is the High Republic to Civil Wars, a period we see very, very few enthusiastic representations of. Perhaps someday I'll be able to give it a go. Early Roman/Etruscan hoplite would indeed be quite interesting...
Epictetus, I have never set myself to reading Gibbon. In fact, I have never read any of the original sources other than Caesar's Gallic Campaigns. I wonder if it wouldn't be best to read as many of the original sources through chronologically (subject matter-wise) before reading any more modern synopses?
Alexander
