Embossed Cupric Alloy Greaves

[Sassanid]

I am intending to have a pair of embossed cupric alloy greaves commissioned. I have a couple of pictures, but the detail is not great in them. Has any one got any good images of any please, either cupric alloy or iron? If you knew the approximate dates of them that would be a bonus, but at this stage it is the images I am primarily after.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help,

Andrew

[Matt Lukes]

Hi Andrew,

I've got some images of highly-decorated ocra (greaves) but since I can't remember where I found them on the web, I can't just post them- so if you PM me with your email address, I'd be happy to just send them to you.

Matt

[Sassanid]

Hi Matt,

That would be great thanks. My email is andrewlynneatblueyonder.co.uk

Best regards,

Andrew

[Matt Lukes]

Sent

[Sassanid]

Thanks again Matt,

The 1st one is pretty much like what I had in my mind. Looks like 2nd century AD? Are there any more images out there before I take the plunge.

Andrew

[Matt Lukes]

No problem Andrew- I'm always happy to help. Unfortunately I know nothing about the ocra in the pictures except that they're from the Roman collections of several European museums. I sort of doubt they'd be much later than the 2nd century AD because 3rd century ones I've been shown are rather simpler.

Matt

[Sassanid]

Does anyone know if there are any images of greaves, particularly line drawings in the book "Roman Cavalry Equipment" by I P Stephenson and K R Dixon. If so, are they worth buying the book for?

Thanks for any help in advance,

Andrew

[Caius Fabius]

There is one black and white photo of a modern reproduction of greaves made by Robinson. Otherwise I don't see any drawings of greaves, and most of the artwork in that book is substandard. I have a copy, but I don't recommend it.

[Sassanid]

Thanks Caius,

I will not bother then. Actually I am quite pleased with the scan I took from Feugere's "Weapons of the Romans". It has blown up quite nicely. The only problem it has revealed even more details - it is even more complex than I thought.

I have just read that Vegetius states that infantry often only wore a greave on the left leg. Any views/evidence anyone?

Andrew

[Crispvs]

It is always possible that Vegetius had been reading Polybius rather than looking at the real life soldiers of his own day when he wrote that. You never know.

Crispvs

[Robert Vermaat]

You need pictures of ocrae? Check here:
[url:2ysw2v9c]http://111935.aceboard.fr/111935-543-1555-0-Cnemides.htm[/url], it has 3 pages with lots of pictures!

[Sassanid]

Excellent, thanks for that Robert,

I see a couple of these pictures are of gladiator ocrae. Wasn't there a gladiator type who only wore one greave? If so what leg was it worn.

Andrew

[Robert Vermaat]

My pleasure! Actualy my greaves arrived today, the shiny brass ones you can see some larger pictures off. they look great!
Gladiators? I thought they wore it left but better ask Graham about that, on civ talk..