Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 05:17:50 -0800
From: "William Hunt"
Subject: Roman Officer musculata
To: "CLARK TRAVIS"

Hello,

Matt Amt suggested I contact you regarding research on the construction of the Roman Lorica Musculata. Six of my group are forming a corp of Roman Officers and we have the resources to do it right. I would like to pick your brain from time-to-time during construction if you don't mind.

1. The tabs at the shoulder which secure the back plate to the breast plate: do you believe they were a hinged portion of the backplate made of metal, integral, or a separate addition? Ideas about what they were constructed of? I did see a photo of an Etruscan musculata that was hinged on the side, but no evidence of how it was secured at the shoulder.

2. The scalloped fringe around the bottom of the musculata: Possibly leather with metal embossings?

Thank you for your response,

Bill Hunt
wdhunt@frontiernet.net

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 19:16:23 -0800 From: "William Hunt" Subject: questions To: "CLARK TRAVIS" Ave Travis,

Thanks a million for your response, you've been a tremendous help. Yes, I'll keep in touch and share everything. I agree with you about leather musculatas; a culture like Rome capable of mass production for it's military on an enormous scale, something should have survived.

Regarding photos: Yes, please!!! close-ups of the ornate tongue peteurges (also shoulder), and the ornamentation on the breast plates.

Question: Was, or do you believe that the tongue and shoulder peteurges were attached to a separate garment under the breast and back plate?

Our group was very thrilled with your reply. Made copies for all. We discussed a methodology for acceptance or rejection of research that fell into gray areas. As the only lawyer in the group, I convinced them that a preponderance (51%+) might be the best method. Any ides?

Thanks again,

Travis,

I didn't even think to let you in on the reasons for my research. Attached is a letter I sent to the legio X commander in California. Mull it over, and if your interested, welcome aborad.

Bill

----- Original Message ----- From: William Hunt
To: Robert Garbisch
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 7:48 AM
Subject: Roman Officers
Ave Bob,

I'm contacting you with regard to a photo you showed me last year at dinner in Sonora during Calaveras. You were wearing a Praetorian Kit.

The photo instantly came to mind at a recent meeting with my VFW group. Our group including myself, consist of five former commissioned military officers, and invariably our discussions turn to the Roman Army and the merits of their command structure. Our group was astonished when I mentioned the numerous Roman re-enactment Legios, and their purposes, that exist in the U.S.

It was then suggested (at first as a PR move) that we re-create the Roman junior and senior command officers, based on the strict research guidelines of existing legions. The idea caught fire really fast, and I was designated to lead the group and test the concept with other and more experienced legions.

My first act was to nail-down and get agreement on some " written-in-stone" guidelines, because if it's a success, we would in all likelihood be interacting with existing legions. We came up with the following:

1. We are an aesthetic resource only. Under no circumstances are we to usurp/or attempt to usurp any authority over ANY legion that has graciously invited our presence.

2. We are to behave according to the dictates and aesthetic needs of the legion centurion.

3. We are present for the purpose to promote the goals of the host-legion.

4. To open the officer's corp. to anyone who has the knowledge and resources to re-create their part accurately.

I then contacted Matt Amt of the XXth and outlined the above to him. Matt told me he would endorse and back the idea 100%, in concept, provided it was done well and accurately under the above guidelines. However, he did caution that it might be a tough sell, but would gain wider acceptance when the Centurions realized we were not a threat to their hard work.

Bob, I would appreciate any ideas or criticisms you may have. Especially criticisms. If we know where the pitfalls are, we can overcome them. Would you be interested in participating in the officer's corp.?

I went to Xth's web site and devoured it!! I was especially captivated by your drama, " Who is this man?" As an aside thought, the Xth would be a great basic training center for the officers(?) My own re-enactment experience is limited to hoplites and Picts, so we're all in the training curve.

Looking forward to your reply, say hello to kingsmurf for us, and hopefully we'll see you at Calaveras.

Buena Fortuna & Merry Christmas,

Bill Hunt (Northern Picts).