tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post793617455494653490..comments2023-04-18T00:44:59.351+10:00Comments on A dead man fell from the sky...: Military reconstructionistsGary Corbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-41258967874679224922013-04-06T11:15:19.860+11:002013-04-06T11:15:19.860+11:00I recently attended a lecture at an event held by ...I recently attended a lecture at an event held by the American Chemical Society where the speaker was into Roman military reconstructions.<br /><br />He brought helmets, swords, bits of chainmail, cloaks, tunics, plate mail... you name it, he had it, and he gave a very long presentation on the minute details of Why Horizontal Headbands Appear on Roman Helmets During a Particular Time. Because it WAS supposed to be a lecture about chemistry, he had a few slides giving line-angle diagrams for the structures of the dyes used in Roman garments.<br /><br />The chemistry professor who brought our class to this event made a snarky comment about the whole thing: "This is what happens when a man never comes in contact with women." Then said professor proceeded to explain to our class, in great length and detail, the history of Roman military campaigns, insignia, and the reasons Roman military equipage began to decline and disappear during the Empire's later years. Then he spent a good third of our next class period explaining the history of the Draco standard.<br /><br />So I guess if you need to find a hypocrite or a chemist in a pinch, hitting up the local historical reconstructionist group wouldn't be a bad idea. :D万理 (Mari)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14228562797294296265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-85169634785196351262013-03-29T14:08:40.961+11:002013-03-29T14:08:40.961+11:00Hi Sean,
I once helped fire a trebuchet! I'l...Hi Sean,<br /><br />I once helped fire a trebuchet! I'll see if I can dredge up the video.<br /><br />Yes, the technology obviously worked better than we give it credit for, or it wouldn't have been in use for hundreds of years. A really good place to see this stuff, if anyone gets the chance, is the military museum at Les Invalides in Paris. <br /><br />But there are people still making a lot of these things and if you turn up to a mediaeval festival you can see for yourself. The people who do this for a hobby <i>love</i> to show off their stuff.<br /><br />If you want to give it a go Sean, you live within the Barony of Innilgard, of the Kingdom of Lochac. (In SCA terms). Looking at their web site, I see the Baron's Championship is coming up soon.<br />Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-73746618321172788982013-03-29T13:21:14.625+11:002013-03-29T13:21:14.625+11:00I caught a series on SBS a couple of months ago it...I caught a series on SBS a couple of months ago it was going through the designs/catalogue of one of the medieval armorers. Can't remember its name. But they made replicas and tested them. It included a submersible breathing suit, trebuchets but the most interesting part was the expensive high-end plate armour. Its often depicted as very heavy but in reality is lighter and less bulky than modern kevlar worn by tactical response groups. The did a number of tests ie running and vaulting but they also did unarmoured verses armoured and went through a number of techniques that seemed counter intuitive ie pummeling an armoured opponent with the pommel of the sword. Wish I could remember the name of it.Sean Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14485575602984697926noreply@blogger.com