04-14-2013, 05:33 PM
Sorry Byron, I did not make myself clear. I am not speculating on the construction of the rump, only of the "sleeves" and "skirt", which I believe to be pteruges, because of the line of decorative scales at the top of the skirt/underside of the rump. Of course this is all speculation. Sleeves or pteruges would both have drooped when the armour was propped up or stuck out at right angles when laid out, not much reason to believe/disbelieve either interpretation.
There is a strong tendency to see pteruges on late Roman and Byzantine period armour as soft armour of padded cloth or leather, see for instance Tim Dawson in the Companion to Medieval Arms and Armour. Perhaps there is some good reason for doing so, but until now I have not come across an explicit justification for this practise. Anyone?
There is a strong tendency to see pteruges on late Roman and Byzantine period armour as soft armour of padded cloth or leather, see for instance Tim Dawson in the Companion to Medieval Arms and Armour. Perhaps there is some good reason for doing so, but until now I have not come across an explicit justification for this practise. Anyone?
