05-15-2014, 08:17 AM
In my opinion that tombstone from Ribchester shows a cavalryman with a batavian style helmet.
The head is big, and with hair with locks. It's strange to me a cavalryman without head protection, so probably it's represented with his integral mask helmet.
By the way, i have seen many times Timetrotter (Germany) cavalry group. One of his cavalryman, Michael Theren, rides always in a Xanten alike helmet, with a mask. I never thought he was limited by the fact of wearing such mask, even he can strikes with his spatha or spear better than his comrades. In his mock battles, he is not handicaped too by wear a mask. So, probably very trained cavalrymen have not trouble to wears masks in battle. Experimental archaeology in this particular aspect have to be done with a lot of training before. Roman writers tells that a soldier can mount in a horse fully armed, even at gallop. I can't do it, this don't tell us romans cant do it, only tells i havent trained enough.
The head is big, and with hair with locks. It's strange to me a cavalryman without head protection, so probably it's represented with his integral mask helmet.
By the way, i have seen many times Timetrotter (Germany) cavalry group. One of his cavalryman, Michael Theren, rides always in a Xanten alike helmet, with a mask. I never thought he was limited by the fact of wearing such mask, even he can strikes with his spatha or spear better than his comrades. In his mock battles, he is not handicaped too by wear a mask. So, probably very trained cavalrymen have not trouble to wears masks in battle. Experimental archaeology in this particular aspect have to be done with a lot of training before. Roman writers tells that a soldier can mount in a horse fully armed, even at gallop. I can't do it, this don't tell us romans cant do it, only tells i havent trained enough.
Cesar Pocinya
ALA AUGUSTA
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ALA AUGUSTA
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/115550981827499/
OFFICINA AVITIANA
https://www.facebook.com/oficinaavitiana