No more pasty white skins!

[M. Demetrius]

Long hair and beards are fine for Spartans, though. Or Celtic auxilia.

[kevair464]

Very true, but not Legionaries until the 2nd century AD

[M. Demetrius]

That's a big 10-4, my Northern Contubernalis! I am sending you the last of the "Standard Commands", if they'll do you any good. I fear the Germanics may win anyway, but I'm sending them just in case greater training and discipline might win the day.

[Lýsandros]

Making roman reenactors shorter is relatively easy and should be the primary goal of any roman adversary. Its the 'growing them back' part after the event that continuously proves more and more difficult

[Pieter]

The key word is "Tone." tone of body and of skin - Not tanned dark brown (or red) and ripped like Arnold! Ideally - in a perfect world, we all take our hobby serious enough to try our best to look the part in all aspects. Reality is another thing! Living a healthy lifestyle and being in some shape, is good for all of us, but up to the individual. You don't have to look like some Hollywood freak cast-member for "300 part deux. I agree that there may be some things worse i.e: inappropriate hair and facial hair etc. etc.. When we are out in the field doing our thing, educating the public, being a cast member for a new documentary etc.. then try to do something to look the part. Yes, we will never look like Romans or Auxiliaries, but we can present an impression! A frumpy, tubby, pasty skinned bearded long hair, does not present the impression of someone who is part of a feared lean, mean killing machine! We all know that Roman legionaries or Auxiliaries did not look like male cast members for 300, but probably looked like people who had lived hard lives! Lets not try to give the impression of the lifestyles of the unhealthy indoor-bound slacker! This also addresses the attitude that we have towards what we do and why we do it! I do agree that the hobby should not become unwelcoming to well informed, like-minded individuals. I would say that there definitely are those individuals whose shear drive and enthusiasm, but above all else wealth of knowledge make them indispensable to their group! This can only be something that we do as individuals. I must say that I am impressed by groups such as Cohors VII Raetorum who have done things like Limes marches. Reenactment should be recreating a glimpse or taste of an experience and reconstructive as well. This would of course also lend to being in better shape. Do things in your own area such as a weekend long march, build a small marching encampment . Live the life, eat the food, walk the walk etc.. just some ideas. After all why do we do this? Do we do this to own some shiny metal objects and play dress-up?
Pieter

[Theodosius the Great]

Legion VI in Los Angeles makes their members hike every month in full kit on a weekend.
It helps keep the troops from becoming too soft and gives them a more rugged appearence.
Perhaps other groups may want to adopt a similar practice, as Pieter says.

I agree with Demetrius and Kevin about reenactors in general never being able to look the
part anywhere near as authentic as a real legionary. Although there are quite a few ex-military
guys in this hobby who manage to stay in shape and of course tend to look the best in their kit.

Though I do disagree about beards and long hair to some extent. There must have always been
some oddball who had a beard in the ranks even during the clean-shaven centuries, IMO. I can't
recall reading about the Romans enforcing their troops to keep clean shaven like Alexander the
Great made his troops do. Except for Egypt beards in the Eastern Meditaranean never fell out
of fashion. The clean-shaven look is more Celtic and the bearded look is more traditional even
in a Roman context. Having said all that I think only full beards are appropriate (IF you can grow
one to begin with :wink: )

~Theo

[Doc]

I agree with Theodosius. Who is to say "there were no beards". Is there a time machine around that was used to ascetain this as fact? How do we know there were no beards amongst the thousands of troops from Augustus to Trajan. Lest we forget Nero had a beard? Some people say the troops wanted to emulate what the emperor was wearing. Granted Nero was way out there like Pluto but he still had a beard and he still was the emperor for more than ten years.

Does eveyone honestly think that all these soldiers who were living under constant drill, working outdoors eveyday for weeks or were on campaign and battle for a few days stopped and thought "man I need a shave". I could see this if an important official came by and looked the troops over or if there was some parade and eveybody had to look their best.

Like Theodosius said, a full grown, clean beard I think would be acceptable. However, I also agree that you cannot look like some guy from a 1990 Metallica Band.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Actually there are several depictions of troops with beards from periods before Hadrian, so I would go with the idea of beards if you want and can,
I do on occassion.

[John Conyard]

We should certainly try and look like what we are portraying, from period hair styles and facial hair to body shape. And if you do period marching, or if you ride a horse, you will need a modicum of fitness. I agree with this whole heartedly.

But, and it's a big but, while we can all aspire to better kit and equipment, it is hard to aspire to being thinner, shorter or younger. And if we only allowed legioanries who were the correct age and body shape, we would be discriminating against a large part of the population.

On a separate but connected issues Comitatus allows women to portray men in displays. It is a legal requirement. They genrally have the correct height, right body shape when disguised in padding, and are the right age. Sadly men like myself are too old, over weight and in some cases too tall.

I spend a lot of time working outside, and stick to a 3rd century hairstyle. But I'm getting on a bit to be Roman soldier. I will do a lot for my hobby/proffession, but there is absolutely no way I will be dying my hair or using make-up to look younger. I have my limits

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

True, botox is the limit to what a man can be expected to submit to these days.... :lol: :lol: :mrgreen:

[M. Demetrius]

Botox? We made some from cooked beans left out overnight last summer. Doesn't taste very good. :roll: :!:

[jsantell]

My ancestors came from Hispania so I am olive skinned as any good Roman should be. :wink:

[kevair464]

I present the future of Roman Re-enactors..........

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Tell me thats not real..!! hock: These dudes are just going way too far these days!

[kevair464]

The scary thing is I think it is real........yikes!