Optio staff

[SOCL]

In most depictions, and especially with reenactors, one typically sees the optio carrying a wooden staff with a ball at the top, which is also carried by the tesserarius (Cowen, Roman Legionary, 58BC-AD69, 50.). Can anyone provide me with some of the specifications for said staff? It's approximate length, it's design, what the ball at the top was made of, etc? I am interested in making one for use with both my Republican optio impression and my Imperial tesserarius impression.

[Tib. Gabinius]

I don't know why a tesserarius should wear.
It its shown on some optiones gravestones of the first century, esp. of the noric-pannonic frontline, and is mostly shown a bit of men high. Most reenactors make / show it with a ball at the end, like it is sometimes shown in the sources.
But some of the staffes, which were often called hastile, end flat, thicken in the end etc.
We don't know if it is a real symbol, like the vitis for centuriones, and tool of the optiones or in special duty or something else, while theres no real evidence that it was for special duty used.

I would use it to help exercising and hold the lines.

[Matthew Amt]

Well, all we have to go by is the artwork, so make it look like those in the pictures! I just grabbed a handy stick, maybe 4-1/2 feet long, and stuck a wood ball on the end, since that's what I had at the time! Some folks get fancy with a metal ball of some sort, but I think I'd want a little better evidence for that.

Cowan shows a tesserarius carrying one of these? Haven't seen that book, so I can only assume he has a reason for doing that. Seems odd, though. I would have guessed a tablet would be a better indicator of that rank--the "tessera" with the watchword written on it.

Vale,

Matthew

[SOCL]

Cowen doesn't actually show a tesserarius, but mentions them carrying said staff:

In numerous funerary sculptures [the optio] is represented with a long staff tipped with a ball-end. We know from the late Roman military handbook written by the Emperor Maurice that officers were positioned behind the battle line during combat (Maurice, Strategikon, 12.b.17; Speidel 1992: 24-26). This was surely the function of the optio's staff. Tesserarii (officers to the watchword) are also represented with this type of staff and their function in battle should be considered similar to that of the optiones.

Unfortunately, Cowen gives no source to back his assertion.

Can anyone point in me in the correct direction of such artwork or funerary scultpures so I can get an idea of this? I've seen reconstructions of them, varying from a wooden ball-end (i.e. Matt's) to having a metal ball-end (i.e. Legio VI FFC's). I have also seen Legio XI's and it took has a metal ball at the tip, though it is more than a ball, attached to a metal fitting over the top of the staff.

Basically, I'm trying to figure out what sorts of materials to use and suggestions for construction.

I seem to also recall a butt-spike on the bottom of most. Would this be similar to the same as a butt-spike on a pilum? :?

[D B Campbell]

... which is also carried by the tesserarius (Cowen, Roman Legionary, 58BC-AD69, 50.).

Nope -- it's an optio! (Plate B, Commentary on p. 61: "The optio is identified by his knobbed staff ...")

[SOCL]

... which is also carried by the tesserarius (Cowen, Roman Legionary, 58BC-AD69, 50.).

Nope -- it's an optio! (Plate B, Commentary on p. 61: "The optio is identified by his knobbed staff ...")

I didn't make it up. Reference my last post: I quote Cowen directly.

[Tib. Gabinius]

If you want some examples, try to get a look on the stones of P. Ael. Mestrius of Legio II adiutrix and Caecilius Avitus of XX valeria vixtrix.

[Peroni]

I made one with a silvered ball. It's basically a brass bedknob mounted )soldered) onto a ferrule then silver plated.

Then all mounted onto a hardwood shaft about shoulder height.

[A_Volpe]

The new Osprey book, Roman Battle Tactics 106 BC - 313 AD (Elite 155) also by Cowan, Page 7 has a picture of a grave stele, noted as a Tesserarius from Leg II Parthica, ca. 3rd cent. AD

"Note that like the more senior Optio, the centurion's second-in-command, this third officer of the century carries a long staff, probably used in battle to shove soldiers back into line..."

the figure is unarmored, with what looks like a long sleeved tunic with a clavi, a belt, braccae and a round parma shield. The staff he has looks about 5 feet long (it appears he's holding it up slightly, looks like it would reach from ground up to his chin or shoulder) The end looks like a mushroom-shape.

The illustration Plate A shows the Optio and Tesser very similar - with a rectangular scutum and a staff like the one Peroni and Quintius Clavus have - a ball-end staff.

wish we had more info about the tesserarius. Ah well.

Saul - By the way, your republican kit in your icon looks pretty good! Is that the deepeeka repub. scutum, and how do you like it?

[FAVENTIANVS]

[M. Demetrius]

There is a ready-made brass ball, hollow, that's called a "Hame Ball", and is used as a terminal for certain horse harnesses. Check with a saddle/tack shop. Will fit a certain sized shaft, but as the picture above shows, the shaft could be tapered. Remember, you're not going to have to hit anybody very hard, and if you want more mass, just fill the ball with lead most of the way. EZ.

[Falcon]

We made our Optio staff of decompusable material = wood (because there would be no archaelogical evidence then), the knob also of wood, the length we choose is 5 roman feet with markings each footh. So it will be possible for the Optio to support the Centurio with the control of his milites at the digging the ditch (3 ft deep, 5 ftwide) of the encampment (for example). We use it also for measurements for proper tent distances etc.
Further: If You really hit Your milites with a brass ball they won't work further, they will seek the medicine-man ... :wink: - if You are using a wood knob they will remember it and speed their work ... :roll:

[SOCL]

Saul - By the way, your republican kit in your icon looks pretty good! Is that the deepeeka repub. scutum, and how do you like it?

Thanks! roll:

Thanks for the info, all! Would it be incorrect to use an old, though sturdy pilum, taking the spear-end off and remaking the top to fit the ball? As far as wooden ball-ends go, is this something that has to be hand-made, or likely something that can be purchased for some sort of crafts store...?

[M. Demetrius]

is this something that has to be hand-made, or likely something that can be purchased for some sort of crafts store...?

You should be able to find all sorts of wooden balls at a craft store or a DIY lumber store. Some are used for the finials on decks and porches, some on staircases, and some at the craft store are in various sizes.

If you have a pilum that has had a tanged head, getting rid of the slot might be a problem, if it bothers you. Or I guess you could just cut it off right there. Yesterday in WalMart, I saw a curtain rod kind of thing that was a 5' x about 7/8" shaft with a 1 1/2" ball on top, all stained brown and shined up. I think it was around 5 dollars. Ready made Optio staves? Well, some things just don't change. :lol: :lol:

[SOCL]

Yesterday in WalMart, I saw a curtain rod kind of thing that was a 5' x about 7/8" shaft with a 1 1/2" ball on top, all stained brown and shined up. I think it was around 5 dollars. Ready made Optio staves? Well, some things just don't change. :lol: :lol:

I think I'll stop by Wal-Mart on my way home from work tomorrow...