03-20-2002, 04:17 PM
There is a new Osprey title, part of the Campaign series, entitled "Adrianople AD 378" by Simon MacDowall. It arrived in the mail yesterday so I haven't had a chance to read it yet, though I have thumbed through it.<br>
<br>
Whatever you may think about Osprey titles, they are often very good sources for pictures of surviving artifacts and artistic representations. This title unfortunately has many photos of late Roman and Germanic equipment that have been used in earlier Osprey titles. However, there are some photos of Roman and Germanic helmets that I have never seen pictures of before, including both of those beautiful Berkasova helmets; a highly decorated ridge style helmet; an interesting earlier Imperial-type helmet that had been modified by a German warrior (I'm not sure if this is the same helmet referred to in Bishop/Coulston p. 171); a Gothic spangenhelm; and even a Sassanian spangenhelm in remarkable condition.<br>
<br>
There are more color photos here than in most osprey titles (though all the helmets are, sadly, in black-and-white). Of particular interest are some very nice photos of late mosaics, and some great color photos of eleven pages from the Notitia Dignitatum (three other pages are shown in B&W), which I think would be of interest to anyone curious about the color scheme of late Roman shield patterns.<br>
<br>
Until I've actually read the book I can't offer my opinion on McDowall's critique of the battle itself. However, if you are interested in helmets of the late Roman era, or have a particular jones for late Roman shield color schemes, you might seriously want to pick this up anyway.<br>
<br>
Gregg <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Whatever you may think about Osprey titles, they are often very good sources for pictures of surviving artifacts and artistic representations. This title unfortunately has many photos of late Roman and Germanic equipment that have been used in earlier Osprey titles. However, there are some photos of Roman and Germanic helmets that I have never seen pictures of before, including both of those beautiful Berkasova helmets; a highly decorated ridge style helmet; an interesting earlier Imperial-type helmet that had been modified by a German warrior (I'm not sure if this is the same helmet referred to in Bishop/Coulston p. 171); a Gothic spangenhelm; and even a Sassanian spangenhelm in remarkable condition.<br>
<br>
There are more color photos here than in most osprey titles (though all the helmets are, sadly, in black-and-white). Of particular interest are some very nice photos of late mosaics, and some great color photos of eleven pages from the Notitia Dignitatum (three other pages are shown in B&W), which I think would be of interest to anyone curious about the color scheme of late Roman shield patterns.<br>
<br>
Until I've actually read the book I can't offer my opinion on McDowall's critique of the battle itself. However, if you are interested in helmets of the late Roman era, or have a particular jones for late Roman shield color schemes, you might seriously want to pick this up anyway.<br>
<br>
Gregg <p></p><i></i>
