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COMITATVS |
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Late Roman, Romano-British and Migration Era Historical Re-enactmentt |
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The Migration Period: Post Roman Northern Europe |
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| Living History |
Roman Cavalry | Fabrica: crafts
for sale |
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Research & Reconstruction |
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By
recreating the past in this way, we learn a great deal about it. Rather than
rely on the musings of academics, we can grasp hard facts. We can explore the
past viscerally. We can answer questions. How long does an oil lamp burn? How
far does a cheiroballista shoot? How long do hobnail boots last on the march?
How fast can a loom be operated? What does Roman fish sauce taste like? How
reliable is flint & tinder? Can you sew leather using a boar's bristle as
a needle? How wide should a tunic be? This
part of the Comitatus website is devoted to some of our reconstructions, in
articles, discussions and in photographs. We are very serious about our work
in this field and we have a growing reputation based on our authentic
approach to the Late Roman and Germanic period. Click on the articles or
photographs in the list below. They are stored as eitherInternet pages, PDF
or JPG files. |
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Articles |
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Living
History |
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The Dorchester-on-Thames belt & the Soldier that wore it
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Our approach to archaeological reconstruction explained. |
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In their Shoes
A quick tiptoe through the types of Roman footwear by Stephen Kenwright |
The Comitatus Ballista
- 'Constantine'
Commissioned
for 2006, this iron-frame bolt-shooter is based on Late Roman finds
and is an accurate full-scale replica. An exciting new addition to the
Legio Praesidiensis. |
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Comitatus has worked with cavalry since its inception. We have now been able to develop own unit of riding members: the Equites Taifali. What we do, how we do it - and why. Discussing horse breeds, weapon use from horseback, Late Roman saddle types and more … |
Photographs of Roman dishes ready to eat. Very nice they are too (with a couple of exceptions!). Included with each photograph is a hyperlink to an online recipe. |
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Reconstructing Roman scripts circa 400 AD |
An experiment,
iron-age style, cooking fish in clay on an open fire. |
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Comitatus was a sponsor of the LATE ANTIQUE ARCHAEOLOGY 2007 Conference at the Ashmolean, March 10/11. This partnership acknowledged our commitment to authenticity and to experimental archaeology - as the articles on this page testify! |
Creating
Roman lead sling bullets using clay moulds, by P. Elliott |
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An article by J.Conyard considering some of the Roman finds in Bridlington. The location of Praesidium? See also the article titled: Where is the Fort Called Praesidium?. |
Paul Elliott’s guide to creating a cheap and simple
marching shelter, as depicted in a 6thC manuscript, the Vienna Genesis. |
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Where is the Fort Called Praesidium?
Discussing the location of the fortress Praesidium, somewhere in Yorkshire, by P. Elliott. |
Advice
and notes on this delicate art, from Lee and Sarah Steele. |
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Map of Northern England in Roman Britain 400AD
Based on archaeology, epigraphy, literature and some extrapolation on my part, this is a map of northern Britain (Britannia Secunda) in 400AD and includes roads, villas, forts, kilns, towns and an all-Roman naming convention. Designed by Paul Elliott. |
Short
discussion on the rations carried by legionaries on the march by P.
Elliott. |
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A quick
look at a Roman bread oven experiment undertaken at Heron Corn Mill
during the summer 2005. With photographs. |
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Guidelines for
the Use of Plumbatae
A short
account of one man's experience with the plumbata, the Late Roman throwing
dart. These weapons are a distinct feature of Late Roman warfare, but
can be tricky to use. |
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Everything you need to know to get started! |
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Comitatus Guide to Making Shoes
It's easier than you might think to produce your very own designer original. Have a go! By Stephen Kenwright & John Conyard
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Marching
in Authentic Kit |
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A completely revised kit guide for female dress by Ste Kenwright It's quite a large pdf. file, and I have an even larger version if you'd like one via email. |
Why we experiment with cross-country marches, different loads, types of terrain and objectives. With a complete list of marches to-date. |
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An article by John Conyard on dressing for the 4th and 5th century. |
Antonius Walks
the Wall |
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Dos and don'ts when making 4th century tunics by John Conyard. |
Wall Walk
IV Wall
Walk #4 Gallery (courtesy
John Conyard) |
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Creating acceptable Late Roman decorated tunics by John Conyard. |
October 2007 |
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Studying the site, and an 8-mile river route March 2007. |
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Looking at regional styles in C4th Britain |
Comitatus
attempts an 11 mile patrol along the most rugged section of Hadrian's
Wall in September 2006. |
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Creating an historical identity that has meaning, authenticity and a good name! In two parts, by Stephen Kenwright.
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Three-man
march across the North Yorkshire Moors from Goathland to the Cawthorn
Marching Camps, with a complete three-day kit, rations and tent. |
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Why we put on combat displays, what we do and how we do it. John Conyard discusses the merits of sharp weapons as well as maintaining a discipline in weapons practice. The article touches on every weapon type used by the group. |
A two
day authentic camping & marching experiment along Hadrian's Wall
in full kit, by P.Elliott |
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Mars Triumphant - Late Roman Drill
How Comitatus recreates Late Roman drill, put into context with drill from earlier and later periods. By J.Conyard.
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Five
Comitatus members climb England's highest mountain in light infantry
kit, by P. Elliott |
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Historical background for members of the Legio Praesidiensis, by J. Conyard |
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Roman Cookery in Reconstructed
Barracks |
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