11-14-2008, 01:05 PM
All the bling everyone keeps talking about with the gladius, is, according the Bishop & Coulston, Roman Military Equipment (2nd ed - page 107) simply a second belt which was wrapped around the sword. The soldier was carrying it, not wearing it. The gladius appeared to be attached to this second belt. The leather would have long since vanished, like his skin, etc. did, but wood carbonizes and can in certain circumstances survive in that carbonized state-witness some of the finds of carbonized food items at Pompeii.
Like Rich Campbell, I was able to actually see in-person the belt parts, weapons and tools, in Canada when the Pompeii-Tales from an Eruption traveling exhibit was there. The belt plates adhered to the handle and scabbard of the gladius. I was hugely disappointed to see that the exhibition catalog did not include any photos of the belt! Thankfully, Lee Holeva was able to take some photos and posted them on RAT shortly after the exhibit was in Canada.
Regarding the dagger, why couldn't the soldier be using something other than a "standard" pugio for a secondary weapon? I saw both weapons and definitely the dagger is large.
Ditto on the remarks of others about soldiers' silvering their equipment and at times, such as in 69 AD handing over their belts for Vitellius to use for funds-I presume to allow the silver to be stripped off. Remember the Kalkriese face-mask had silver on it over the face part, but it had been stripped off - probably by some German plundering after the killing was done, then disgarded the rest as not valuable - traces of silver foil are along the edge binding.
Like Rich Campbell, I was able to actually see in-person the belt parts, weapons and tools, in Canada when the Pompeii-Tales from an Eruption traveling exhibit was there. The belt plates adhered to the handle and scabbard of the gladius. I was hugely disappointed to see that the exhibition catalog did not include any photos of the belt! Thankfully, Lee Holeva was able to take some photos and posted them on RAT shortly after the exhibit was in Canada.
Regarding the dagger, why couldn't the soldier be using something other than a "standard" pugio for a secondary weapon? I saw both weapons and definitely the dagger is large.
Ditto on the remarks of others about soldiers' silvering their equipment and at times, such as in 69 AD handing over their belts for Vitellius to use for funds-I presume to allow the silver to be stripped off. Remember the Kalkriese face-mask had silver on it over the face part, but it had been stripped off - probably by some German plundering after the killing was done, then disgarded the rest as not valuable - traces of silver foil are along the edge binding.
Quinton Johansen
Marcus Quintius Clavus, Optio Secundae Pili Prioris Legionis III Cyrenaicae
Marcus Quintius Clavus, Optio Secundae Pili Prioris Legionis III Cyrenaicae
