Late Roman Centuriae at Sarum

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

This is an impressive meet of late Roman re-enactors. The pics are amazing and give a real feel for what Roman soldiers would have looked like in this period!

SARUM

[juvenus]

outstanding pics SBH!
+rep

[ray243]

Is there any reason why different units are mixed together in a battle line? I thought that the same units/regiment often has the same shield pattern?

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

Wow! Incredible! +rep

This was re-enacting late roman britan, which wasn't as standardized as the roman army

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

My understanding is that this century of late Roman troops (the first on British soil in over sixteen hundred years) is comprised of several re-enactment groups from Britain and Europe with each one recreating its own Roman unit - hence the disparity of the legio shield emblems.

[julianus heraclius]

Nice stuff SBH, though they do look a bit like a rabble

[Valentinian Victor]

Nice stuff SBH, though they do look a bit like a rabble

I hope people noticed that some of the Cavalry appear to have the wrong shield designs for their unit (A couple of them have what I think are the 'Ferocious Moor's' shield design, which was a Moorish light cavalry unit based in the east). Also, it appears their auxilia are depicted unarmoured...

[Renatus]

I hope people noticed that some of the Cavalry appear to have the wrong shield designs for their unit (A couple of them have what I think are the 'Ferocious Moor's' shield design, which was a Moorish light cavalry unit based in the east).

The shield design of the cavalrymen at Sarum is two wolves(?) facing each other on a red background. According to Otto Seeck's edition of the Notitia Dignitatum this is the design of the Equites Honoriani seniores, a vexillatio comitatensis based in Gaul and Britain (ND Oc. VI 17 = 60 = VII 171 = 202). The shield design of the Equites Mauri feroces is similar but on a white background. This was also a vexillatio comitatensis, based in Italy (ND Oc. VI 18 = 61 = VII 164). There are a number of units of Mauri in the East but we do not have shield designs for any of them.

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

Here's the main post at Roman Army Talk where you can see more pics.

There's a list of the re-enactment groups lower down. Also youtube videos. My understanding is that the 'auxilia' are foederates and therefore not necessarily armoured.

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

Thanks SBH!

[Gromovnik]

Great stuff, +rep.

[Lionheart]

Nice