09-25-2005, 04:27 AM
Quote:I really shouldn't have used such a strong word, sorry. I thought I could read a (slight) favour for the interpretation as shoulder-doublings in your book.
Well, I tried to be a bit more even-handed than that, and Simkins' replica certainly shows that it could be done (but then that's all experimental archaeology can ever do: it never proves it). I felt it best to allow the reader to apply Occam's Razor as they saw fit.
Incidentally, battle reliefs such as that from Arlon are covered in a paper by Gabelmann, who looks at all the then-known examples and compares the tradition with the 'Reiter-typ' tombstones:
Gabelmann, H. 1973: 'Römische Grabmonumente mit Reiterkampfszenen in Rheingebiet', Bonner Jahrbücher 173, 132-200
In discussions of whether we are seeing tunics or arming doublets peeking out from under the armour, it must be remembered that these cavalrymen, in common with many of the tombstone depictions, as well as the Vachères 'warrior', are wearing long-sleeved tunics (the cuffs are clearly visible).
Mike Bishop
