Republican Rome Hastati Impression

[bobthecenturion]

I originally wanted to start reenacting Imperial Romans, but I've become almost obsessed with the Manipular Roman army of the Second Punic War. While I wait for my books to arrive, does anybody know anything about the Republican Hastati?

I need to know about footwear, tunics, shields, swords, and helmets, for starters. Also, I'd like to make as much as possible myself. I've got the resources, so why not.

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

have you tried Greece & Rome at war by Peter Conolly?

[Gaius_Calvus]

The Complete Roman Army by Adrian Goldsworthy is another great reference.

Good illustrations and descriptions of Roman gear. Having said that, very little will differentiate the Hastatii from the Principii or the Triarii, except that the Triarii seemed to retain the long thrusting spear (Hasta) after the Hastatii and Prncipii switched to the pilum.

Calvus

[bobthecenturion]

I'm currently looking through my new copy of The Complete Roman Army. In a few weeks, I should be getting Greece and Rome at War. Thanks for the tips!

[Hibernicus]

Robert, do you know Aaron Smith?

[bobthecenturion]

I'm afraid I don't know him. Should I?

[Hibernicus]

Aaron's one of our soldiers from East Coast USA, has a buddy who's also looking into starting a Republican era impression.. thought I'd ask..

[bobthecenturion]

Well, the more the merrier. I wouldn't mind travelling to do some events with like-minded Polybian folks.

(Is Polybian the proper title, or should I use Republican? Manipular?)

[Dan Diffendale]

The earlier the better!

There's no real "proper title"; you could say Republican Roman, 3rd cent. BC, middle Republican, Manipular, whatever you like.

However, as far as troop terminology -- the singular form of the plural hastati is hastatus. Likewise, one triarius, multiple triarii; the tricky one is one princeps, multiple principes. Also, one veles, multiple velites.

If you visit Matt Amt's Legio XX photographs page here:...
http://www.larp.com/legioxx/photos.html
and scroll down to "Equipment from other eras" there's some Republican stuff illustrated.
On his scutum page here:
http://www.larp.com/legioxx/scutum.html
scroll down to see the evidence from Polybius' description and the Fayum shield.

You can have a look at Legio VI's take on the Punic Wars for the "Hannibal" video shoot:
http://www.legionsix.org/Hannibal.htm

There's an old (1982) Osprey title, Armies of the Carthaginian Wars 265–146 BC (ISBN: [amazon]0850454301[/amazon])

For helmets, it'd be hard to go wrong with a 3rd-century BC Montefortino-type (a couple here -- I intend to update this over the next couple of months), but maybe you'd like a nice Apulo-Corinthian?

[bobthecenturion]

Would the Deepeeka(sp?) Delos sword be accurate to use as a Gladius Hispaniensis, or should I look into Mark Morrow's blades? I can certainly make a hilt myself.

Keep in mind, my era is Second Punic War (and I'm still doing initial research), so it is arguable that the hispaniensis had just been adopted by the legion.

Also, it seems that fighting barefoot was popular during that era. Does anybody else reenact barefoot? Is there anything I should know about that (dangers of glass, etc)?

[Dan Diffendale]

I go barefoot. It's helpful to keep your feet hardened during reenactment season. It's hard to strike terror into anyone when you're wincing around on gravel. I haven't run into any glass or such thus far, but I suppose it's always a possibility.

[bobthecenturion]

Last question (I hope), where should I get my equipment? I'm limited on cash, but can make my own mail/plate, clothing, and possibly spear and javelins. So, for the shield, sword, and helmet, where should buy from?

[Matthew Amt]

Ooo, that's the big question! Or rather, a number of questions each with a number of answers.

I'd strongly recommend building a shield press to make your own shields. There are a couple places that might custom-make one for you, but the price and shipping will be rough! Use the Legio XX guidelines, but of course aim for a larger rectangle (c. 48" to 50" tall by 25" to 30" wide) to be trimmed after curving into the oval shape. And I'd go for 3 layers of 1/8" plywood rather than the 2 layers we use for Imperial shields.

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/scutum.html

Deepeeka is coming out with a Delos-style gladius hispaniensis, but the date on that is kind of late for the Punic Wars. You might even want to investigate what the Romans were toting before they adopted the hispaniensis. In either case, Mark Morrow is a great swordsmith, though not the only one. This is my own hispaniensis, with the blade by Mark:

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/hispan1.jpg

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/Smihel1.jpg

Deepeeka also reduced the size of their Montefortino helmet recently, so it should be quite nice. Check the Marketplace section about that.

Good luck!

Matthew

[bobthecenturion]

Thanks, I'll look into that.

[Gaius_Calvus]

As always, Matt's advice is spot-on. I am working on a Later-Republican Impression (Caesarian) and am duplicating some of the same gear also based on his advice.

You will need an umbo (boss) for the shield that is way more complex than the square ones you see for Imperial Legionaries. I am having mine made by Mark Morrow, who will probably be able to do the same for you.

Vale

Calvus[/i]