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\"Celtic\" military technology and the Romans
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Urselius post=359340 Wrote:Julian the Apostate made a detailed description:

"Your cavalry was almost unlimited in numbers and they all sat their horses like statues, while their limbs were fitted with armour that followed closely the outline of the human form. It covers the arms from wrist to elbow and thence to the shoulder, while a cuirass made of small pieces protects the shoulders, back and breast. The head and face are covered by a metal mask which makes its wearer look like a glittering statue, for not even the thighs and legs and the very ends of the feet lack this armour. It is attached to the cuirass by fine chain-armour like a web, so that no part of the body is visible and uncovered, for this woven covering protects the hands as well, and is so flexible that the wearers can bend even the fingers." Julian, Orations I, Panegyric of Constantius, 37D (Loeb translation)

The Loeb translations have a lot of inaccuracies and are usually no good for extracting technical details like this. Has anyone here attempted their own translation?

I agree, certainly where limbis is concerned, but we cannot suspect Latinists of cocking up basic relationships like 'something connected to something else', and straightforward words like 'web'.
Martin

Fac me cocleario vomere!
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Ammian\"Celtic\" military technology and the Romans - by Urselius - 09-17-2014, 02:10 PM

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