Gaius Octavius Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 (edited) The below taken from Pertinax' latest blog entry. (Without permission!) HAND What does the hand at the top signify? The badges and the moon under the badges? GLADIUS I note that the gladius' sheath is slung towards the back with thongs attached to the belt. Provision seems to have been made for slinging it forwards. Or its remaining perpendicular to the ground. Was there uniformity in the line? What would be the purpose for the apparently three different positions? What is the staff in his hands and its purpose? PLUME With his gladius on the left, I presume that he is a centurion. Yet his helmet has no plume. If so, did it matter? Was there any purpose for the direction of a plume? Edited July 31, 2006 by Gaius Octavius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbow Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Signum standards were used by Legionary and Auxiliary Century units,the "Manus"(human hand) represent's the first Century of a maniple formation(republic).The discs represent the number of units in the cohort,i think . Longbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 It would seem to me that slinging the gladius towards the back would be horribly impractical, and for that reason probably wouldn't be done. Having it perpendicular would be more likely. The officer's helmet has little "ears", that is where feather plumes would be attached. I don't think he's a centurion but rather another high ranking officer judging by the attachments for two feather plumes as opposed to a single horizontal crest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Signum standards were used by Legionary and Auxiliary Century units,the "Manus"(human hand) represent's the first Century of a maniple formation(republic).The discs represent the number of units in the cohort,i think .re!'?Longbow I would still like to know what it means, v.g., 'This far and no more!'? LW, have you tried it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbow Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 (edited) I dont think its known what the Manus signify's, 'This far and no more!' seems a plausable theory to me.Or a copy of the Salute maybe? If the hand has a wreath around it that signify's a honour won for the Unit and the Crescent Moon below the phalerae is supposed to represent Mithras,but other Zodiac signs were allso used.The fringed bowl below the Zodiac sign looks like a good place to put your hand if it comes to using that thing as a weapon (unlikely i know). I like the Draco standards,Time Team ( a British TV show) recreated one and the sound it made as the guy was galloping along with it was really quite creepy,i imagine it scared the natives . Edited July 31, 2006 by longbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 No I have not tried it, I don't have a gladius to try it with (when I get one, I'll try it ) It just seems impractical in close formation. Especailly since you cannot well see the guy behind you to avoid giving him a *particularly* nasty stab wound Not only that, but the guy behind you is likely to wear his gladius the other way, and when both attempt to draw their weapons at the same time, it could concievably create an issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 First thing I would do if I was one of those guys is impale that kid who's wearing the Arsenal shirt with one of my pila! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antiochus of Seleucia Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I would love to be in the caligae of that soldier in the 'Gladius' picture. What's he doin there anyway? Is that in front of a museum or something? He'd make great security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 Longbow, is that Draco standard a Roman thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbow Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 No m8,i think they originaly came from the Eastern Steppes tribes,Rome took a shine to them though . Longbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 No m8,i think they originaly came from the Eastern Steppes tribes,Rome took a shine to them though .Longbow Did the Romans use it? If so when and where? Not to be too nosy, and if it is not some secret code, clue me in on "m8". Oh, forgot, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 m8 = "mate" I believe the Romans did use the Draco, but I'm not sure where or when. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 m8 = "mate" I believe the Romans did use the Draco, but I'm not sure where or when. 'm8' should have some deep philosophical meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 The Draco was probably introduced by Sarmatian cavalry in the early 2nd century AD. There are examples of it on Trajan's column proving it's use at that early stage, though it became the common standard much later. Fectio.org Roman Draco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted August 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 (edited) The Draco was probably introduced by Sarmatian cavalry in the early 2nd century AD. There are examples of it on Trajan's column proving it's use at that early stage, though it became the common standard much later. Fectio.org Roman Draco Nice site. Good info and pics. Do I see right? Is the infantry using a draco? Edited August 1, 2006 by Gaius Octavius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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