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Gathering my own kit; Balteus
#1
Hello fellow members,

My name is Joerie, and I've been working in an archaeological open-air museum for some years now as a Roman soldier, while graduating my MA in Classical Archaeology. While working there I use the gear/equipment provided by my employer (f course).

More recently however I have decided to start gathering my own kit (let's face it, mostly because it is awesome). I have my own lorica hamata (with shoulder doubling) and the next step I want to work towards is my own balteus.

My computer is full with articles on archaeological excavations of belt buckles and plates, but I want to ask your advice. Rather than buying a complete set or a deepeeka balteus, I have the intention to acquire the plates and buckle and assemble them myself. These plates need not be the final worked products (HR-Replikate sells unfinished products), and need not be tinned on purchase either.

What I am asking advice about is what type I should start saving up for. My job re-enacts the first half of the 2nd century AD in the Germania Inferior area, and it would be nice to follow this theme. On the other hand I want to be able to use the belt for as broad a period as possible (1st century would be nice).

From what I gathered during the 1st century the belt appears to have been decorated fully, while later in the 2nd century decorations become more lavish (enameled), but do not appear to have filled the full belt.

Ideally I'd combine several types and work in phases. It would be awesome if I could start with a belt with buckle and gradually add more plates to personalize it..

What types of plates/buckles do you think suit my purpose best? I really like the Felix Utere plates, but they are quite late in the 2nd century..

Thank you for taking the time to read this Smile

Joerie
Joerie van Sister
Carpe Diem
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#2
Hi, Joerie

I wish I could assist you but I'm a barbarian. In my case, I searched for something, anything really, that could be connected to the Sarmatian/Alanic cultures. No cigar. So, I went to Raymond's Quiet Press and purchased a Mongol set, plus Mongol belt stiffeners (handy for attachments). I'm willing to bet if you check-out Raymond's offerings you might find a Roman buckle set that you can use for Late 1st to Early 2nd century Roman.
Alan J. Campbell

member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians

Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)

"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
             Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
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#3
I've been to his site recently, the earliest he has is late Roman AFAIK.

I recommend HR Replikate:

http://www.hr-replikate.de/englisch/home.htm
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#4
Try here as well....http://www.replik-shop.de/ I have items from both and can recommend them.
.expect a long wait from H R Replikate.
Kevin
Kevin
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#5
Do you guys reckon I should go with 1st century AD or early second?
Joerie van Sister
Carpe Diem
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#6
I'd say Late 1st because a lot of Late 1st is applicable to Early 2nd.
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#7
Quote:Do you guys reckon I should go with 1st century AD or early second?

From what I've learned here on RAT, styles and fashions of balteus-decoration changed fairly quickly, according to ancient or archaeological standards. Therefore, a balteus seems like a rather unfortunate choice for a piece of equipment that has to be applicable to a broad time range. However, you can always use an excuse like "I got this from my father, who was a soldier before me". :whistle:
Valete,
Titvs Statilivs Castvs - Sander Van Daele
LEG XI CPF
COH VII RAET EQ (part of LEG XI CPF)

MA in History
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#8
I am still very much doubting which type of plates to go for. First of all a quick question; red belts were quite common for the cinguli/baltei right?

Secondly, are there any measurements I need to take into account (spacing between plates)? I see photo's of people wearing belts with the plates next to one another, but I also see quite a few who have quite a large belt, in which the plates are susrounded by some free space (on all sides).

I really like type 268a & 268b on HR Replikate (http://www.hr-replikate.de/katalog/indep...image=0171), but then I would get more trouble in finding pugio-frogs..

On the other hand I am interested in:
http://www.replik-shop.de/Replicas/Roman...jtra4ob80a
http://www.replik-shop.de/Replicas/Roman...jtra4ob80a


Or this one:

http://www.replik-online.de/de/shop/site...098&id=100

Anyone here got experience with these belts?

Thank you Smile
Joerie van Sister
Carpe Diem
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