08-24-2002, 10:51 AM
My two cents worth about Osprey mistakes. I was browsing throug "Romano-Byzantines Armies" yesterday. I found this under a picture on page 24:<br>
"This extraordinary byzantine ivory figurine is sometimes thought to date from 10th-13th centuries. Its purpose is unclear and nothing else like it seem to survive.<br>
The helmet with its crest and face covering visor, the tall rectangular shield and the gaiter-like protection on the left leg could suggest a 4th-7th century date".<br>
The gladiator specialists amongst us will probably have recognized an hoplomachus in this description when I add that the figure holds a short straight sword. Most likely a secutor (the helmet is of the round short crested type).<br>
The "extradordinary byzantine ivory figure" is most probably made out of bone, to begin with and is most likely to be a knife handle in the shape of a secutor of high imperial date.<br>
"Nothing else like it seem to survive".<br>
Of course I've seem several of these gladiator shaped knife handles. It was obviously a common design... <p></p><i></i>
"This extraordinary byzantine ivory figurine is sometimes thought to date from 10th-13th centuries. Its purpose is unclear and nothing else like it seem to survive.<br>
The helmet with its crest and face covering visor, the tall rectangular shield and the gaiter-like protection on the left leg could suggest a 4th-7th century date".<br>
The gladiator specialists amongst us will probably have recognized an hoplomachus in this description when I add that the figure holds a short straight sword. Most likely a secutor (the helmet is of the round short crested type).<br>
The "extradordinary byzantine ivory figure" is most probably made out of bone, to begin with and is most likely to be a knife handle in the shape of a secutor of high imperial date.<br>
"Nothing else like it seem to survive".<br>
Of course I've seem several of these gladiator shaped knife handles. It was obviously a common design... <p></p><i></i>