03-12-2013, 10:45 PM
I really don't want to throw a dampener on the Nationalistic idea of a "Dacian" ethnogenisis and "origin" of the draco, but modern historians and antropoligists have arrived at the conclusion that the term "Dacian" was used by the Romans in the same manner they also called people "Scythians." The modern (non-nationalistic) view accepts the population of Dacia as being Celts, Carpi, Greeks, and Macedonians.
Robert Vermaat has made the correct point that the draco came from a Central Asian origin and spread in different directions... just like the Indo-European language. The draco was never a Nationalistic symbol. It was a wind indicator and rallying point.
Here is the draco-- minus all the fancy wolf and dog heads-- depicted on the Orlat Plaque from Sogdiana. Many historians date it to the 1st century BC... which is "somewhat" before Trajan was born. ;-)
[attachment=6675]OrlatBeltPlaquefromSogdiana-3.jpg[/attachment]
Robert Vermaat has made the correct point that the draco came from a Central Asian origin and spread in different directions... just like the Indo-European language. The draco was never a Nationalistic symbol. It was a wind indicator and rallying point.
Here is the draco-- minus all the fancy wolf and dog heads-- depicted on the Orlat Plaque from Sogdiana. Many historians date it to the 1st century BC... which is "somewhat" before Trajan was born. ;-)
[attachment=6675]OrlatBeltPlaquefromSogdiana-3.jpg[/attachment]
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
