Bakalarska_prace_-_Lukas_Kratochvil
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aesthetic of the object is not disturbed. This way of hemming is typical also for all other pieces of the gladiatorial equipment. The decoration of ocreae was realized by embossing, except the bearded male heads, which were casted and added later (Fig. 14d). This is a mistake in the construction. These greaves, in fact, were reconstructed on the basis of a picture and this relief seemed to be too raised for the embossing technique. This technological problem has been overcome just in these days. The cast plate has been removed and the reliefs remade by embossing. The total hight of an ocrea is 61 cm. The width in the narrowest ankle area is 15 cm, in the widest area of upper edge is 21 cm. The weight of one single greave is 2.5 kg.
Used material for reconstruction is 1,5 mm thick bronze-tin plate, the edges of graves are hemmed by 0,5 thick bronze-tin plate. The rings for hitching leather straps are made from bronze wire 0,8 mm thick. These are attached by bronze rivets in the sides of graves (Fig. 14c).
Fig. 14a. Detail of the kneecap bulging with |
Fig. 14b. Reconstruction of faciae (photograph |
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decoration (photograph by the Author) |
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by the Author) |
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Fig. 14c. Detail of the loop attached by two rivets (photograph by the Author)
Fig. 14d. Detail of the bearded man (photograph by the Author)
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Fig. 14e. Pompeii B5 and B6 Subtype recnostruction. (photograph by the Author)
5.6 Sica
All the reconstruction, as described above, are modelled after originals dated to the first century AD, because we have a lot of preserved material from Pompeii. This is the reason why the type of sica with blade evenly curved along its length was chosen. The second type of sica, with sharply angled blade appeared around the mid-first century AD.
As model for shape and curving of the blade were chosen the depiction on an oil lamp in the Römisch-Germaniches Museum in Köln (Fig. 6a) and an original sica in a private collection (Fig. 15a), unfortunately with no indication of its orignal archaeological context. Yet, its shape is the closest to that reproduced on the lamp.
Modern technologies were used for creating this weapon. The blade is ground and tempered and inserted into the wooden handgrip (Figs 15b-c). The length of the whole weapon is 71 cm, the blade alone measures 49 cm. Our sica is blunt on account of safety during experimental reconstruction of possible fight techniques and also of the decreasing wear. It was established that it is possible to get behind the opponent’s shield by rotating this weapon. But due to the size of the scutum of the myrmillos, the hand holding the shield is much of the time out of the reach of curvature of blade. Hoplomachus eliminates the advantage of curved sica by using a bulging parmula because the curvature of this kind of shield covered the whole forearm, which is the easiest body part to be injured by a curved blade. Opposite to the gladius, the sica has worse qualities in stabbing but better for dealing
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cut wounds thanks to its blade. Thracian armatura bids an aggressive style of fighting82. An active use of the parmula shield as a secondary weapon grants other combat tactic possibilities.
Fig. 15a. Thraex’s sica in private collection (after: http://ru.warrior.wikia.com/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB:Th racian_machaira_1_645.jpg; last visit: 27. 06. 2012)
Fig. 15b. Final assemblage of the sica (photograph by the Author)
Fig. 15c. Detail of the wooden handgrip (photograph by the Author)
82 Chapter. 2.4.
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5.7 Parmula
There is a lot of archeological finds depicting a thraex holding his shield. It is possible to observe small differences in size and vaulting. The shield used by hoplomachus could have two different shapes. Original finds reach at most a radius of the curvature of 5 cm, but the iconographical sources83 depict shields of hemisphaerical shape84.
The thraex’s shield has always a vertical grip, and its shape is square or moderately rectangular. Our reconstruction is made of 1 cm thick plywood, incurvated into the required shape. In this case the radius of the curvature is ca. 11 cm. The front of the shield is covered by raw cowhide, 2 mm thick. This technology has not undergone changes during the period in which it was used. The skin free of fur and other impurities is dipped into the water for 5-8 hours, to be softened. While wet, it is stretched on the structure of the shield. Then, it is bent with thin leather straps on the other side of the shield to be tightened. The edge of the shield is reinforced by a 0.5 mm thick bronze border, which is riveted the structure of the shield (Fig. 16a). In the centre of the inner side there is a vertically inserted grip (Fig. 16b). The fingers are protected by an iron umbo85 (Fig. 16c).
The final size of the shield is 64 x 56.5 cm and its weight is ca. 4 kg. Palm branches and two jumping bulls are painted on the front side. The depiction on the shield means the affiliation to a particular familia gladiatoria, in this case the familia gladiatoria Taurus.
The position of the grip is debated in many cases. Iconographical finds inform about the possibility of vertical and even horizontical grips. Carried out experiments show that the vertical grip is much more advantageous and it is likely that this was the version actually used. It provides a better manipulation of the shield both for protection and for attack. Due to its weight, the thraex’s shield was a very effective weapon. This fact is supported by the general opinion that the thraex’s was a very aggressive armature86. In the scutum the horizontal grip is a necessary option: because of his size and weight the vertical grip is not effective. The artists depicting gladiatorial themes have not paid attention to this detail. The horizontal holding so often depicted was probably inspired by Roman legionnaires, who used a kind of scutum with such a grip, which was, the, “transferred” to gladiators.
83Entry 4.2.1
84This shield is reconstructed by Dr. Marcus Junkelmann and his function described in Das Spiel mit dem Tod-
So kämpften Roms Gladiatoren.
85Shield bulging wich covers the fingers when they hold the grip. Depictions of the umbo on the thraex’s parmula are not so common.
86Chapter 2.4.
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Fig. 16a. Detail of the attaching bronze edge (photograph by the Author)
Fig. 16b. Detail of the vertical grip (photograph by the Author)
Fig. 16c. Front side of the shield with umbo (photograph by the Author)
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5.8. Galea
the last part of our reconstruction is the helmet subtype Pompeii H12, realized after the original on exhibition in the Musée de Louvre87. Its construction is the most difficult and expensive part of my reconstruction and in present time, the manufacturing process is not yet finished. Due to such time reasons, only the first stages of the reconstruction are presented here: the core and the decorated crest. The details of the decoration and the remaining elements are going to be finished during July 2012. Nonetheless, I would like to pay attention the same to the helmet reconstruction and describe the constructing elements and techniques. All of them were discussed with the craftsman Martin Junek and have been realized while this work has been written.
The helmet is structurally divided into four parts: calotte (Fig. 17a), brim (Fig. 17b), crest (Fig. 17c) and cheekpieces (Fig 17d). Calotte and brim form the core of the helmet. To this core crest and cheekpieces are attached. The crest is attached firmly, while cheekpieces are attached by hinges (Fig. 3.1.A.1.3). Inside the forehead of the helmet, there is a flat loop for the sliding of the cheekpieces. Subsequently, they can be shut together by clicking. Grilled visors are attached to the upper part of the helmet by a tapering getting through the brim, ended with a loop through which passes a cotter. In the lower part of the helmet, the visors slide into the flat loop situated in the middle part of the cheekpieces, which is attached by two rivets (Fig. 3.1.A.1.6.). When hit, this part could be damaged and deformed, which could make the opening of the helmet impossible. Because of this, there is a strengthening plate (Fig. 3.1.A.1.4) covering the critical area.
The decoration of the helmet is realized by a combination of several techniques: embossing, undercut mortices and perforated patterns (lines or simple figures).
The material used for our reconstruction is a 1.5 mm thick tin bronze plate, the same as for manica and ocreae. For the brim hemming, the lower part of cheekpieces and the visors was used a 0.5 mm thick tin bronze plate. The griffin’s head was modelled in wax and cast in bronze with the method of lost wax. The crest of the helmet is decorated by chiseling delicate feathers, which should give the impression of the griffin’s body. In this type of helmet the crest is connected and forms a continuous surface in the back side . There are visible tiny holes piercing the crest in the upper part. As they don’t have any constructional meaning, it is likely that they were used for the attachment of a wooden extension with feathers by cotter
87 Département des antiquités grcques, étrusques et romaines, Salle des bronzes, 1st floor.
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pins or tiny straps going through the holes88. For a firm wearing of the helmet, a lining or cap is needed under the galea. After putting the helmet on the head the cheekpieces fasten together and, for secure against opening, they are binded by strap in their lower part. This way of attaching is the same for every type of gladiatorial helmet which should protect the face. The holes for the straps are well apparent on the original finds.
Fig 17a. Callote with gorgon head decoratin on progres (photograph by the Martin Junek)
Fig. 17b. Callote with attached brim (photograph by the Martin Junek)
88 It was probably attached the same way on the thraex helmet Subtype H12 type
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Fig. 17c. Detail of the griffin head and crest decoration (photograph by the Martin Junek)
Fig. 17d. Detail of the unfinished cheekpices (photograph by the Author)
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Fig 17e. Unfinished reconstruction of the helmet type Pompeii H12 on July 7th 2012 (photograph by the Author)
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6. Conclusion
At the end of this work I would like to say that the manufacturing gave the occasion for further construction inquiries, which we are not able to answer at the present state of knowledge. For a complete settlement of the construction of a thraex’s helmet and another equipment it would be necessary a personal examination of original finds, with the possibility to dismantle some of their parts, which is obviously very difficult to realize. It would be expedient to work on the theme of the construction of gladiatorial equipment in a following project or to dedicate an individual study to it.
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