In this closeup veiw, details of Marcus Scipio's Montefortino style helmet, weighted pilum, and ornate leather shoulder doublings are clearly visible. Some details of his early style gladius are also visible. |
In this view, the ornate scabbard of Marcus Scipio's early style gladius is visible. The gladius was also known as the Spanish style short sword. |
Information about this early armour and weapons can be found in the book by Daniel Peterson titled, The Roman Legions Recreated in Colour Photographs, and in the Osprey Press Military Series title, The Roman Army From Caesar To Trajan. |
This photo, taken partly in shadow, captures some of the exquisite embossed detail on the helmet and cuirass worn by Praetorian Officer Gaius Germanicus Magnus. Capturing this type of detail is difficult under any type of lighting condition. |
This is another view of Gaius Germanicus' scutum with brass wings on a black background. |
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Flavius Vespasianus with rectangular scutum, Coolus style helmet, hamata (mail shirt), and a standard light pilum, known as a verutum. |
From left to right are Centurio Marcus, Optio Antony Lucius, Flavius Vespasianus, Marcus Scipio in Republican armour, Praetorian Officer Gaius Germanicus Magnus, and Syrian Auxiliary Octavius Lucius with shields front. |
Here is another photo of Centurio Marcus, Optio Antony Lucius, Flavius Vespasianus, Marcus Scipio in Republican armour, Praetorian Officer Gaius Germanicus Magnus, and Syrian Auxiliary Octavius Lucius. |
Centurio Marcus, Optio Antony Lucius, Flavius Vespasianus, Marcus Scipio in Republican armour, Praetorian Officer Gaius Germanicus Magnus, and Syrian Auxiliary Octavius Lucius stand, weapons ready. |
Here is another photo of the group, this time at higher contrast. |
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This closeup of Antony Lucius, Vlavius Vespasianus, and Marcus Scipio clearly shows two of the different styles pf pteruges, or leather groin protectors worn by the members of the legion. Both styles are correct for the period. |
I have included several images of all six members of Legio X Fretensis present at the MacArthur Church event. Lewis Grimes took many of the pictures with the author's Nikon Koolpix 900 digital camera. |
Lady Lydia examines Antony Lucius' scutum. Note the baldric is attached to the scabbard with two straps on each end going through the loops. Some other rigs have two strapsbehind and one in front holding the scabbard in position. |
Marcus Scipio, Antony Lucius, Octavius Lucius, and Gaius Germanicus Magnus standing around after the battle discussing Barbarian tactics. Might that refreshing drink in Octavius' hand be a sweet concoction from a time period nineteen centuries later? |
Ah, now things become clearer. The author wonders, "From what part of Campania does that unique jar of wine held by Octavius Lucius come?" |
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Praetorian Officer Gaius Germanicus Magnus addresses the public. |
Two possible recruits join us for the afternoon. One of them is Loyed Arnold, the pastor of MacArthur Church. |
Loyed Arnold tries out the Coolus style helmet, the lorica segmentata, and a large rectangular scutum. Voila! a Roman legionary of the early Empire, one of Caesar's own! |
Pastor Loyed Arnold looks like he will make a good soldier. This is not as strange as it might seem. Surprisingly, there were quite a few Christians in the legions. |
We did not get the name of the other gentleman who tried out the Roman armour that afternoon. The story is, his sons put him up to trying out with us. One of them is studying Rome in school. |
