11-17-2012, 04:19 AM
"Friends... Roman's and Countrymen... lend me your ears!"
Can I throw in a "Newbie" perspective?
I am an American, and a Christian, and on top of that a Full-Time Pastor of a small church. (Not that any of that really means anything here...)
I am not a part of a reenactment group because there are none in my area. I have high regards for everything and EVERYBODY on RAT. I don't care if you are American or European... I know many people here from Canada and India as well.
I came to RAT for help... in finding Historical Facts, Pictures, diagrams, drawings, leads to information and where I could locate it etc. I have made purchases from American, European and Indian manufacturers and distributers. I have also purchased on Ebay. Ugh... Yes... I have made that mistake too!
I came into the whole Roman Empire from a totally different perspective and may never become a Reenactor. I have had a vision of owning my own Roman Armor since about 1987. I am 50 years old now. For someone like me... I have had a TOTAL misconception of what Roman Armor was really like. I have had to "De-program" my mind and my thinking, because most of what I was exposed to was "Hollywood's" impression. In fact... I didn't know that Chain-mail existed before King Arthur! (By the way... when you are done reading this... forward it to 10 other people and your wish will come true.) Kidding.
I never heard of Hamata, Segmentata, Squamata... etc. I visit this forum 2-3 times a day, sort of an addiction. But I come here for many different reasons. I want and desire to know the History of the Roman Army... I want to know the intricacies of "What we now know" to the best of our abilities.
To me... Re-enacting is "living human history." Then there are museums... Book writers... Archeologists, and manufacturers. All play a vital role of intriguing and salting other's interest in the Roman Army and culture.
In what I am doing, with the armor I am slowly purchasing... I would never want to offend a Historian, or a Re-enactor with equipment that was portrayed wrong. Like a legionnaire only wore his sword on his Left side right? No I mean it was left on his right side... I get it, I get it... Legionnaire on his right hip Centurion on his left... I am learning. But I am learning because of the wealth of knowledge that is being shared and offered here. (Not to many other places I can go that will help direct me to the right answers.) I have been ripped off in buying things that say... "New" "Never Used" "Authentic" "Museum Quality" (And honestly the last helmet I purchased was heavily dented, rusted, and deeply scratched and that was before it was shipped since there was absolutely no damage to the shipping box.) I have bought things that were actually covered in mildew and mold.
Buyer Beware!
I have posted pictures of things I was going to purchase and people here have been able to tell me... Don't waste your money! and I have avoided some of those mistakes. I have bought "Junk" for the same price I could have purchased something more authentic and accurate. I have asked for opinions. And believe that "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion... as long as it is my own!" "Kidding."
I also have to look at it from the perspective of... If you cannot tell from 15 feet away that the two rosettes on the side of my helmet are 2.5 millimeters to far apart... but that bugs you... then while you are looking and measuring them I have the opportunity to thrust you through with my sword... ( I mean seriously... because there isn't a lot of totally intact historical finds... and the manufacturing process wasn't automated like it is today... isn't it possible that the craftsman was off on #3 Gallic "G" and #5 Was good and #6 But then #7 was too close?)
I recall that there was a Forum... somewhere.. in Rome, where you were thrown into the middle and then... you had to fight for your life!
I think I just jumped in both feet!
When you read something in writing... "It can really only mean... what the writer meant it to mean." So what do I mean? What am I saying?
Don't ruin what you have here! PLEASE!
Don't let opinions inflict wounds that will not heal. And don't take an offense to an opinion that has been made. We are all out to achieve some similar goals... Bringing to life History, a history that not one of use can give a "First hand account" but we are trying our best to bring to light what it "May" have been like.
Once again... PLEASE. Don't ruin what you have. I for one need your experiences to help me make the best "IMPRESSION" that I can, with the resources and talents that I have available at this time.
Keep the Peace!
In His Service and Yours...
Patrick
Can I throw in a "Newbie" perspective?
I am an American, and a Christian, and on top of that a Full-Time Pastor of a small church. (Not that any of that really means anything here...)
I am not a part of a reenactment group because there are none in my area. I have high regards for everything and EVERYBODY on RAT. I don't care if you are American or European... I know many people here from Canada and India as well.
I came to RAT for help... in finding Historical Facts, Pictures, diagrams, drawings, leads to information and where I could locate it etc. I have made purchases from American, European and Indian manufacturers and distributers. I have also purchased on Ebay. Ugh... Yes... I have made that mistake too!
I came into the whole Roman Empire from a totally different perspective and may never become a Reenactor. I have had a vision of owning my own Roman Armor since about 1987. I am 50 years old now. For someone like me... I have had a TOTAL misconception of what Roman Armor was really like. I have had to "De-program" my mind and my thinking, because most of what I was exposed to was "Hollywood's" impression. In fact... I didn't know that Chain-mail existed before King Arthur! (By the way... when you are done reading this... forward it to 10 other people and your wish will come true.) Kidding.
I never heard of Hamata, Segmentata, Squamata... etc. I visit this forum 2-3 times a day, sort of an addiction. But I come here for many different reasons. I want and desire to know the History of the Roman Army... I want to know the intricacies of "What we now know" to the best of our abilities.
To me... Re-enacting is "living human history." Then there are museums... Book writers... Archeologists, and manufacturers. All play a vital role of intriguing and salting other's interest in the Roman Army and culture.
In what I am doing, with the armor I am slowly purchasing... I would never want to offend a Historian, or a Re-enactor with equipment that was portrayed wrong. Like a legionnaire only wore his sword on his Left side right? No I mean it was left on his right side... I get it, I get it... Legionnaire on his right hip Centurion on his left... I am learning. But I am learning because of the wealth of knowledge that is being shared and offered here. (Not to many other places I can go that will help direct me to the right answers.) I have been ripped off in buying things that say... "New" "Never Used" "Authentic" "Museum Quality" (And honestly the last helmet I purchased was heavily dented, rusted, and deeply scratched and that was before it was shipped since there was absolutely no damage to the shipping box.) I have bought things that were actually covered in mildew and mold.
Buyer Beware!
I have posted pictures of things I was going to purchase and people here have been able to tell me... Don't waste your money! and I have avoided some of those mistakes. I have bought "Junk" for the same price I could have purchased something more authentic and accurate. I have asked for opinions. And believe that "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion... as long as it is my own!" "Kidding."
I also have to look at it from the perspective of... If you cannot tell from 15 feet away that the two rosettes on the side of my helmet are 2.5 millimeters to far apart... but that bugs you... then while you are looking and measuring them I have the opportunity to thrust you through with my sword... ( I mean seriously... because there isn't a lot of totally intact historical finds... and the manufacturing process wasn't automated like it is today... isn't it possible that the craftsman was off on #3 Gallic "G" and #5 Was good and #6 But then #7 was too close?)
I recall that there was a Forum... somewhere.. in Rome, where you were thrown into the middle and then... you had to fight for your life!
I think I just jumped in both feet! When you read something in writing... "It can really only mean... what the writer meant it to mean." So what do I mean? What am I saying?
Don't ruin what you have here! PLEASE!
Don't let opinions inflict wounds that will not heal. And don't take an offense to an opinion that has been made. We are all out to achieve some similar goals... Bringing to life History, a history that not one of use can give a "First hand account" but we are trying our best to bring to light what it "May" have been like.
Once again... PLEASE. Don't ruin what you have. I for one need your experiences to help me make the best "IMPRESSION" that I can, with the resources and talents that I have available at this time.
Keep the Peace!
In His Service and Yours...
Patrick
