the Lusoria-Project in Regensburg

[Anonymous]

they are currently working on a late Roman ship in Regensburg (Castra Regina). It's going to look basically like one of the two ships, some of you may have already seen at the "Museum für Antike Schifffahrt" in Mainz (www2.rgzm.de/Navis/Ships/...3005.jpg), but the unlike this version, the one from Regensburg will be tested on the Danube in about six months (I don't know, if there's maybe even a chance to join the crew).<br>
<br>
Here's a link to that project:<br>
www.vefag.de/lusoria_proj...rojekt.htm<br>
(it's all in German, sorry ) <p>---------------<br>
<br>
<img src="http://home.nexgo.de/berzelmayr/hadrian.gif"/> Est vita misero longa, felici brevis.<br>
<br>
</p><i></i>

[Flavius Promotus]

I know some of the guys from the construction team and even have some pictures of the project.<br>
<br>
The ship is to be presented to the general public in July THIS year. Up to know the construction is proceeding rather well, but you never know...<br>
Hope everything goes fine.<br>
<br>
Greetings FLAVIUS PROMOTUS<br>
<br>
Jasper, if you want, I can send you some images for posting ! <p></p><i></i>

[Praefectusclassis]

Yes please!<br>
<p>Greets<br>
<br>
Jasper</p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

I read in the news that the ship will have its maiden voyage on the 1st of August:<br>
www.uni-regensburg.de/Fak...elles.html<br>
<p></p><i></i>

[Flavius Promotus]

That is correct...<br>
<br>
...IF the technical inspection authority give their placet today.<br>
<br>
But according to what I have heard they are more or less satisfied. It would be a shame if they said no.<br>
<br>
The rigging is still under construction but the oar system works (blisters on my hands tell the story). <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

so what did they say?, Promote? And will the media cover this? (I've seen bits about the making in the BR) <p></p><i></i>

[Flavius Promotus]

The boat has passed the test and will be exhibited this sunday (August the 1st) at Regensburg (if all goes well).<br>
<br>
There should be quite a load of images available, soon<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>

[TITVS SABATINVS AQVILIVS]

<br>
Great! My compliments for the good work, Flavius. I can't wait to see it patrolling along the Rhine, with roman soldiers aboard too!<br>
If my mind serves me, those patrol boats mounted a skorpio aboard too... Are you going to put one on it?<br>
<br>
Vale,<br>
Titus <p></p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

They should be LATE Roman soldiers, shouldn't they?<br>
Scorpiones were outdated by the Fourth century (so as the repeting catapult placed on the bow at Mainz Museum...). Think of metallic-framed ballistae, instead.<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[TITVS SABATINVS AQVILIVS]

<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>As far as military operations are concerned, the use of these ships on the River Rhine was first mentioned during the second half of the third century.<hr><br>
<br>
About 275 CE? So, about in that periond catapults were already mainly made of metal?<br>
Aitor, I'll take advantage from your late Empire knowledge, to ask you, something that continues to intrigue me: seen that almost suddenly from Diocletianus' reign the roman militaty equipment changes so much (ships catapults too, as you say), what is the first effective date of the first "late" roman military object gotten from archeological discoveries or seen in any iconographic source?<br>
<br>
Vale,<br>
Titus <p></p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Yes, Titus, and even earlier! The first metallic framed (case, slider and stand were still wooden until the end of Roman times... in the East) are documented on Trajan's Column, which marks a post-quem terminus.<br>
Waht do you mean with 'late Roman military object'? I'm rather puzzled...<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[TITVS SABATINVS AQVILIVS]

<br>
<br>
I mean objects like ridge helmets, furcaps, long sleeve tunicas, late shoes, late style belts, plumbatae, etc. The objects and dresses you use in your group!<br>
In few words, when in your opinion, the legions left their "classical" look, to become "late", or better which date we know to whom we can connect the first "late" roman military "object"? During the half of the III century crisis, under Aurelianus, or under Diocletianus? And moreover, do you think that at the same time some legions could be equipped in the "classic" fashion and other in the "new" fashion?<br>
<br>
It could be interesting to know...<br>
<br>
Vale,<br>
Titus <p></p><i></i>

[Robert Vermaat]

I won't presume to spoil Aitor's reply but I'd say from the second half of the 3rd century to the first half of the 4th, depending on the item from your list. Shoes are more difficult, and I would not dare to date the first long-sleeved tunic or Pannonian cap, but ridge helmets seem to date from Constantine's rule or shortly before, plumbatae from the later decades of the third c., while the broad plated belts seem to be the latest from the list (between 320 and 350).<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i></i>

[TITVS SABATINVS AQVILIVS]

<br>
Thank you Valerius; do you know about any evidence of the parallel use of the "old" and "new" equipment in a same legion or in different ones?<br>
<br>
Sometime ago I've red that the military equipment found in some german warriors tombs was mainly of roman type, if not roman at all, so I wondered about Germans fighting equipped with captured and accurately preserved newstead segs, imperial helmets, gladii and semi-cylindric shields, vs. Romans equipped with a "barbaric" taste equipment, like spangenhelm or ridge helmets, spathae, round shields, dracones, etc.<br>
Funny to image...<br>
<br>
Vale,<br>
Titus <p></p><i></i>

[Flavius Promotus]

We planned to install a scorpio in the forecastle (yes, yes - not late Roman, I know, but nevertheless very impressive). Unfortunately, the little brother of our centurion had too much beer before he climbed on to the tractor - by by scorpio<br>
<br>
The tiny forecastle will therefore house 3-4 archers.<br>
<br>
Aitor, the crew has been equipped with blue long sleeved tunics like two sailors in the Piazza Armerina mosaic wear. The tunics had to mass produced, so they look a little crude but they can nevertheless be recognized as late Roman (clavi and orbiculi).<br>
We also have about 7-8 late Roman helmets, but apart of a fourth century spatha we have little more late Roman equipment. Almost all our resources were drained away by the ship itself (and by a parallel project, a Severan reenactment group - legio III Italica Antoniniana), so we just didn't have the time and the money for detailed late Roman stuff, sorry<br>
However, we will be visited by a small late Roman reenactment group during the festival, so we can show 'real' late Roman equipment to the public, nevertheless.<br>
<br>
We had to row for over two hours today in order to please some nerv-wracking TV guys. We had to row up and down the river again and again so they could film the boat from here and there and over there and so on and so on.<br>
The crew was close to a mutiny when it all stopped.<br>
<br>
On the other hand, it was an interesting experience, although rowing in a woolen tunic with a woolen pair of trousers and a late Roman helmet can be a hot event<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>