Centurion and Scutum

What are those animals on his sheild, do you know? I presume they are some sort of mythical beast, but from here they look like shrimp (and why would he have shrimp on his sheild? )

 

What rank is the man beside him with the lavishly decorated oval sheild? His armor itself does not suggest anything other than a "regular" legionary, however the sheild decoration does.

What are those animals on his sheild, do you know? I presume they are some sort of mythical beast, but from here they look like shrimp (and why would he have shrimp on his sheild? )

 

What rank is the man beside him with the lavishly decorated oval sheild? His armor itself does not suggest anything other than a "regular" legionary, however the sheild decoration does.

That is the Capricorn (half goat/fish) symbol of II Avgusta, certainly no shrimp.The next man over is actually a very well equipped auxilliary, who seems to have got hold of a cavalry shield and a very good quality helmet.

Capricorn. Of course. lol I sort of guessed that after reading your comment on the legion's capricorn standard.

 

I had figured that might be an auxiliary, were there any restrictions about the armor a soldier could wear? I mean, I know there was often alot of variation, some prefered hamata to segmentata or what have you, but what were the limits?

Capricorn. Of course. lol I sort of guessed that after reading your comment on the legion's capricorn standard.

 

I had figured that might be an auxiliary, were there any restrictions about the armor a soldier could wear? I mean, I know there was often alot of variation, some prefered hamata to segmentata or what have you, but what were the limits?

 

Best to reply by telling you how II Avg and VIII Avg go about it: if you are a Legionary (AD 50-150) you are in Segmentata (though its actual name is not known) , if you are an auxiliary you are in Hamata. Your helmet might be new or 50 years old, so long as it was up to the job.I suspect if you have looted a dead enemy or his city you will have various knick knacks ( belt badges/ornaments) but your phalerae and amulets will be bestowed largesse. If you are on horseback you will be a bit flash and have a rather various selection of helmets and be wearing hamata.Scroll back to this shot:

 

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=917

I see. I had read of helmets and armor going through family lines (wearing your dad's helmet for instance) but I didn't know where exactly the line was drawn.

 

What about shields?

 

Thanks for the info btw

I see. I had read of helmets and armor going through family lines (wearing your dad's helmet for instance) but I didn't know where exactly the line was drawn.

 

What about shields?

 

Thanks for the info btw

Id suggest that the scutum design would be a factory produced item, the suggestion is that scutii are disposable items , because they would take a fearsome pasting above all other pieces of kit-so not much chance of re-cycling.

You're probably right, I didn't think of that.