ContentsBefore commissioning this armour, Steve researched his subject well. Reenactors today are fortunate to have available to them the fruit of extensive scholarly research and photographs of surviving examples of ancient arms and armour presented in a concise and very readable format. The excellent series of books published by Osprey Military Press is based on the study of ancient manuscript sources as well as the results of modern archaeological research. Much of this research is sponsored by the British Museum, one of the most respected institutions engaged in research into Roman history and archaeology.
Steve posed for us here on top of an earth embankment much like the ones that formed part of the Roman fortifications in depth that surrounded Vercingetorix' last hilltop stand at Alesia in Gaul or the embankment and ditch, called a vallum that ran alongside Hadrian's Wall. Complete with olive tree behind him, it looks like he has stepped back through time to stand watch at any of hundreds of semi - permanent Roman camps found throughout the Mediterranean area. Little would the viewer suspect that directly to the right and just out of this photo, a military reenactor from a much later era is attempting to get his World War II jeep unstuck by engaging the four - wheel drive.
