Arma

Newsletter of the Roman Military Equipment Conference

ISSN 0960-9172

Introduction

Arma is the newsletter of the Roman Military Equipment Conference (ROMEC) which, since 1983, has met to discuss the arms, armour, and military fittings of the Roman army. The proceedings of these volumes have been published (four of them by British Archaeological Reports) but Arma now provides an opportunity for the publication of short notes on recent finds, news of relevant publications, and a running bibliography of academic articles published on the subject since 1980. The newsletter also supplies details about forthcoming events, including of course the next ROMEC. Of interest to specialists and enthusiasts alike, as well as unit and museum staff, and academics working in related fields, Arma offers the chance to keep up-to-date with Roman military equipment studies.

Subscribing

The annual subscription for Arma, which includes two issues (Summer and Winter), is now £5.00 (US $20 cheque, $10 cash) per annum for Britain, the rest of Europe, and the rest of the world. Note that subscription is for the year in which monies are received, so if you subscribe in January, you will not get a newsletter until sometime after June (unless you also request back issues). Postage is inclusive in the price, 1st class for Britain, printed papers rate (usually airmail) to the rest of the world. Cheques (in sterling, drawn on a UK bank, or in $US drawn on a US bank) should be made payable to 'M.C. Bishop'. Giro payment facilities are now available again: payments should be made to account no.52 610 3183. US $ prices include bank charges. Please send subscription requests to: M.C. Bishop, Braemar, Kirkgate, Chirnside, Duns, Berwickshire, TD11 3XL, UK.

Back issues are still available (but note that volumes 1 and 2 and 3:1 are out of print and now available for download as PDFs on this page) and are priced as follows:

The price (which includes postage and packing: 1st class in the UK, printed papers - usually airmail - to the rest of the world) for a whole set of back numbers (3:2-11/12) of £39.00 (or $US64 + $US10 for bank charges) includes a free copy of the proceedings of the First Roman Military Equipment Seminar (while stocks last).

Contents

Page numbers are included in square brackets after each entry, e.g. [7-8]

Volume 1 (1989) 33pp

Part 1

• Editorial [1]
• The next ROMEC [2]
• Forthcoming ROMEC proceedings [2]
• Archaeological illustration [2]
• Recent publications [2-3]
• Last chance books [3]
• Reconstruction societies [3]
• Books, posters, and postcards [3-4]
• New finds [4]
• Bibliographies [4]
  • Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [4-8]
• The Joint Expedition to the Roman Provinces of the Danube M.C. Bishop [8-9]
• Work in Progress [9-10]
  • Roman sling-shot W.B. Griffiths [9]
  • Roman Corbridge M.C. Bishop [10]
• Notes [10-14]
  • Nielloed studs Lindsay Allason-Jones [10-11]
  • A new mail hook M.C. Bishop [11]
  • Belt fittings in Buxton museum M.C. Bishop [11-13]
  • A Republican gladius [13]
• References [13-14]
• Subscription; notes for contributors; next issue; list of subscribers (individuals, institutions); editorial board contact addresses [14-16]

Part 2

• Editorial [17]
• ROMEC 1 [18]
• The next ROMEC [18]
• The Roman Finds Group [18]
• A circular shield cover C. van Driel-Murray [18-19]
• Recent publications [19]
• Notes on the carriage of the gladius Michael Simkins [19-20]
• The composition of some copper alloy artefacts from Longthorpe M.C. Bishop [20-4]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [24-6]
  • Papers (part 2) [24-5]
  • Reports (part 1) [25-6]
• Roman cavalry [26]
• Work in progress [26]
  • A catalogue of Roman military equipment from London [26]
  • Military equipment from Lejjun Sonja Jilek [26-7]
  • Copper alloy beltplates from Britain T.G. Padley & P.M. Cracknell [27-8]
  • A note on Roman infantry roles J. Davison [28-9]
• References [29]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; next issue; list of subscribers; editorial board contact addresses [29-33]

Volume 2 (1990) 34pp

Part 1

• Editorial [1]
• 7th ROMEC, Magdalensburg M.C. Bishop [2]
• The next ROMEC [2]
• A new journal [2-3]
• Any Republican equipment? [3]
• Roman cavalry march in Britain cancelled Dan Peterson [3-4]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [4-5]
• Indicium [5]
• Reconstruction group update Dan Peterson [5-7]
• Significant Roman military finds from flea markets in Germany Dan Peterson [7-10]
• A decorated dagger scabbard from Corbridge, Northumberland M.C. Bishop [11]
• Lorica 'segmentata'? Michael Simkins [11]
• What is it? [12]
• Work in progress [12]
  • Roman scale armour J.B. Clemetson [12]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; list of subscribers; editorial board contact addresses [12-15]

Part 2

• Editorial [17]
• The face of battle [18]
• Special offer subscriptions [18]
• Some new equipment from Germany [18]
• The Roman Finds Group [19]
• Slides and posters [19]
• Limesritt 90: continuing experiments with the Roman saddle Dan Peterson [19-21]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [21]
• Down to earth: a note on bolt-heads and rake-prongs W.J.H. Willems [22-3]
• The manica lamminata Michael Simkins [23-6]
• Military equipment from Romano-British caves Martin J. Dearne [26-8]
• Two cavalry fittings from Castleford, West Yorkshire M.C. Bishop [28-31]
• A crest-box support and niello-inlaid belt-plate from Italy Dan Peterson [31-2]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; list of subscribers; editorial board contact addresses [32-4]

Volume 3 (1991) 28pp

Part 1

• Editorial [1]
• A hoard from Belgium [2]
• Back issues [2]
• Two representations of 3rd century AD equipment from Cumbria J.C.N. Coulston [2-4]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [4-5]
• The Nijmegen helmet and an unusual umbo H. Brunsting and D.C. Steures [5-6]
• The fascia ventralis: a follow up Peter de Haas [6-8]
• The fastening of the gladius to the belt in the Early Empire Peter Connolly [8-9]
• Evidence for the production of Roman military equipment Liviu Petculescu [9-10]
• Rescript [10]
• Mystery objects [10-11]
• A wooden training sword and the so-called practice post from Carlisle Ian Caruana [11-14]
• Next issue [15]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [15]

Part 2

• Editorial [17]
• ARMA and JRMES [18]
• Reconstruction societies [18]
• The men in the iron masks [18-19]
• Current research W.B. Griffiths [19]
• Recent publications [19]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [19-20]
  • Papers (Part 6) [19]
  • Reports (Part 4) [19-20]
• Zu den römischen Funden von Sursee-Zellmoos Elisabeth Ettlinger [20-1]
• A military pendant from Milton Keynes Jo Mills [21-2]
• Early Roman horse gear from Velsen 1 A.V.A.J. Bosman [22-5]
• Damage and complaints [25]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; list of subscribers; editorial board contact addresses [25-8]

Volume 4 (1992) 24pp

Part 1

• Editorial [1]
• ROMEC VIII, Newcastle upon Tyne, 11th-12th April 1992 M.C. Bishop [2]
• The Roman army on coins Michael Pavkovic [3]
• Recent publications [3]
• Römisches Militär im 1. Jahrh. n.Chr. in der Nordschweiz E. Deschler-Erb [3]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [3-4]
  • Papers (Part 7) [3-4]
  • Reports (Part 5) [4]
• A round-up of military affairs: the Netherlands 1991 C. van Driel-Murray [4-5]
• Velserbroek B6, military equipment from a ritual site A.V.A.J. Bosman [5-8]
• A Roman helmet from Kakheti (Eastern Georgia, Transcaucasia) David Braund [9-10]
• A shield boss from Greta Bridge D.J. Marchant [10]
• An enamelled belt plate from South Shields A.T. Croom [10-12]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [12]

Part 2

• Editorial [13]
• Neil [14]
• Tiger, tiger... Lindsay Allason-Jones [14-17]
• Early enamelled belt plates from Britain M.C. Bishop [17-19]
• An intaglio from High Rochester Lindsay Allason-Jones [19-20]
• Missing persons [20]
• Parallax [20]
• Recent publications [20]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [20-1]
  • Papers (Part 8) [20]
  • Reports (Part 6) [21]
• A preliminary note on scale armour from Carpow, Perthshire J.C.N. Coulston [21-3]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; list of subscribers; editorial board contact addresses [23-4]

Volume 5 (1993) 24pp

Part 1

• Editorial [1]
• Roman Military Equipment Conference 1994 [2]
• Neil [2]
• Desperate measures: some new Roman military equipment M.C. Bishop [3]
• Some Vegetiana [3]
• Recent publications [3]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [3]
  • Papers (Part 9) [3]
  • Reports (Part 7) [3]
• Velserbroek B6, military equipment from a ritual site (2) A.V.A.J. Bosman [3-8]
• Roman scale armour John Clemetson [8-10]
• Reflections on the lorica according to the Bellum Iudaicum of Josephus Mordechai Gichon [10-12]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [12]

Part 2

• Editorial [13]
• Recent publications [14]
• Another newsletter [14]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [14-15]
  • Papers (Part 10) [14]
  • Reports (Part 8) [14-15]
• Neil [14]
• The Ribchester hoard [15]
• A third century lorica segmentata back-plate from Carlisle Ian Caruana [15-18]
• Some military fittings from Caerwent (Venta Silurum) M.C. Bishop & N.A. Griffiths [18-20]
• An enamelled harness mount and pendant from South Yorkshire Martin J. Dearne & Julien Parsons [20-1]
• List of subscribers; subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [21-3]

Volume 6 (1994) 24pp

Part 1

• Custos armorum [1]
• Neil [2-3]
• New Connolly posters and postcards [2]
• Recent publications [2]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [2-4]
  • Papers (Part 11) [2-4]
  • Reports (Part 10) [4]
• Changes to Arma [4]
• Cavalry sports equipment in Southern Gaul M. Feugère [4-10]
• Special feature: re-enactment groups in 1994 [5-6]
• A 'pilum murale' from Kirkham, Lancashire Kath Buxton & Chris Howard-Davis [10]
• An unusual recent find in Trinovante country, on the Essex/Suffolk border M.J. Matthews [10-11]
• Words of warning Nick Griffiths [11-12]
• Subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [12]

Part 2

• Custos armorum [13]
• JRMES 4 [14]
• Recent publications [14]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [14-15]
  • Papers (Part 11) [14-15]
  • Reports (Part 10) [15]
• The Marburg conference [15]
• Hot news about artillery [16]
• Up in arms: Roman military equipment from Gamala, Israel [16]
• Roman or native? A new hilt-guard from a Roman context M.C. Bishop [16-18]
• Ein neuer Schildfesselbeschlag aus Xanten? H.-J. Schalles [18-19]
• Dura pendants: parallels, please! Simon James [19]
• A Roman 'coal scuttle' helmet from Greece Theodore Adamakopoulos [19-20]
• The imperial 'apron' - a modest thought W.B. Griffiths [20]
• ROMEC IX, Leiden 1994 [20-1]
• Gaff of the month [21]
• List of subscribers; stop press; subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board contact addresses [21-4]

Volume 7 (1995) 24pp

• Custos armorum [1]
• Neil [2]
• The future and Arma [2]
• JRMES 5 and ROMEC X [3]
• Bishop & Coulston [3]
• Instrumentum [3]
• Roman cavalry - a new exhibition in Nijmegen [3]
• The Teruel catapult again D.B. Campbell [3, 6]
• ROMEC 1996 [4-6]
• New publications [6]
• ...And some not-so-new publications [7]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [7-8]
  • Papers (Part 12) [7-8]
  • Reports (Part 11) [8]
• Roman military equipment from Gamla Jodi Magness & Guy D. Stiebel [8]
• Germanic equipment in a Roman temple: help! Carol van Driel-Murray [8-10]
• Silbercingulumteil aus Anatolien Ernst Künzl [10-11]
• An unusual harness pendant from the Narbonne area M. Feugère & P. Abauzit [11-13]
• The sculpture of an armoured figure at Alba Iulia, Romania J.C.N. Coulston [13-17]
• Some pre-Flavian mulitary equipment from Kent M.C. Bishop [17-19]
• Roman military equipment on the Internet [19-20]
• Book bargains [20]
• New Roman reconstruction reenactment book planned [20]
• Museum of London Roman gallery [20]
• List of subscribers; subscriptions; notes for contributors; editorial board [20-3]

Volume 8 (1996) 24pp

• Custos armorum [1]
• Neil [2]
• New Publications [2]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [7-8]
  • Papers (Part 13) [2-3]
  • Reports (Part 11) [3]
• A Fragment of ring-mail from Chesters A.T. Croom & W.B. Griffiths [3-4]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 1. Narbonne, fourreau en bois d'un glaive precoce M. Feugère [4-5]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 2. Applique de mors d'Espondeilhan M. Feugère [5-6]
• A scabbard mount with runic inscription from Bergakker, The Netherlands A.V.A.J. Bosman [6-7]
• A cavalry pendant from Guimps (Charente, France) J.-L. Tilhard [7-8, 13]
• How do you follow that? The Russell Robinson archive and the future of Roman military equipment studies M.C. Bishop [9-12]
• A find in the north H.J.P. Arnold [13-14]
• 'Plumbum collo portare.' identity plates in the Roman army? A. Iriate [14-15]
• Chip-carved fittings in Late Roman Hispania J. Aurrecoechea Fernandez [15-19]
• Roman military equipment on the Internet [19-20]
• New face mask from Corbulo's canal [20]
• Stop press: Roman military equipment at Delft [20]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 3. Hyères (Var): nouveau casque de type étrusco-italique M. Feugère [20-21]
• List of subscribers [22-3]
• Subscriptions [24]
• Notes for contributors [24]
• Editorial board contact addresses [24]
• Calling all Roman re-enactment groups [24]

Volume 9 (1997) 24pp

Part 1

• Custos armorum [1]
• New publications [2]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [2-3]
  • Papers (Part 13) [2-3]
  • Reports (Part 12) [3]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 4. Vaison-la-Romaine (Vaucluse) M. Feugère [3-6]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 5. Phalère de Roquemaure (Gard) M. Feugère & S. Barberan [6-7]
• Some more military equipment from Romano-British caves Martin J. Dearne [8-11]
• Stop press [11]
• Subscriptions [11]
• Notes for contributors [12]
• Editorial board contact addresses [12]

Part 2

• Custos armorum [13]
• By Jupiter [14]
• Who was that masked man? [14]
• New publications [14]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [14-15]
  • Papers (Part 15) [14-15]
  • Reports (Part 13) [15]
• Roman 'horned' buckles: the evidence from Hispania Joaquin Aurrecoechea Fernandez [15-19]
• Militaria de Gaule Meridionale, 6. Bollène (Vaucluse) et environs M. Feugère & G. Alfonso [19-22]
• Military equipment from a fire-deposit at Arbeia Roman fort, Tyne and Wear A.T. Croom [22-3]
• Subscriptions [24]
• Notes for contributors [24]
• Editorial board contact addresses [24]

Volume 10 (1998) 16pp

• Custos armorum [1]
• Vindonissa (Windisch AG - Switzerland): a gladius with a relief decorated sheath and belt pieces from the legionary camp E. Deschler-Erb [2-5]
• Militaria de Gaule Méridionale, 7. Mèze (Hérault) et environs M. Feugère & Chr. Pellecuer [5-9]
• Report on two sections of lorica segmentata found at Vindolanda David Sim [9-10]
• The development of 'lorica segmentata': recent advances and old work re-assessed M.C. Bishop [10-14]
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980 [14-15]
  • Papers (Part 16) [14-15]
  • Reports (Part 14) [15]
• List of subscribers [15]
• Subscriptions [16]
• Notes for contributors [17]
• Editorial board contact addresses [18]

Volume 11/12 (1999/2000) 12pp

• Custos armorum [1]
• The wrong way round [2]
• Gladiator or not [2]
• Developments at JRMES [2]
• New books [2]
  
• Bibliography of Roman military equipment since 1980
  • Papers (Part 17) [2]
  • Reports (Part 15) [4]
• Just another cheekpiece? M.C. Bishop [4]
• A new 3rd-century dagger scabbard, or a good fake? M.C. Bishop [5-7]
• Roman military re-enactment groups 2001 [7-9]
• On the problems of Roman-type swords in the territory of the former Soviet Union and modern Russia Andrei Negin [9-11]
  
• Subscriptions [12]
• Notes for contributors [12]
• Editorial board contact addresses [12]

Notes for contributors

1. Copy dates for Arma are 31st May (for the Summer edition) and 30th November (for the Winter one).
2. Absolutely anything pertaining to the study of Roman military equipment will be considered for publication, including details about recently published books or articles, news about finds, or information about forthcoming courses or exhibitions.
3. Contributions should preferably be in typescript in English, French, or German, but a computer disc with the text will be very helpful (either as ASCII text, in RTF (Rich Text Format), MS Word, WordPerfect, or StarWriter); disk formats handled include Acorn (DFS, ADFS), IBM/MSDOS (in whatever combinations of 5.25in, 3.5in, DD or HD you can manage), Linux, and Apple (3.5in HD). Please, no Amstrad PCW 3in discs. If you feel very adventurous, then send the text as an email in HTML - that will provide me with a legible hardcopy and an electronic text to edit. See item 5 below for sending illustrations in electronic format.
4. This one is usually ignored, but is nonetheless very important. Illustrations should be designed to fit the text area - either landscape, portrait, a portion of the latter, or a column's width. They should also be camera-ready: i.e. should already have been reduced to the size required in reproduction.
5. Photographs (up to 296 × 210mm) can now be readily included in Arma, and these can be colour or black and white, prints or transparencies (up to 100 × 100mm); even negatives, if you are desperate. Alternatively, scan your photo (as a 256 greyscale image at 200dpi) and send it on a disc as a JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file (with LZW compression, if possible).
6. Contributions can be sent to any of the editorial board - M.C. Bishop, C. van Driel-Murray, or H.-J. Ubl (see below for addresses).

Editorial board contact addresses

Dr M.C. Bishop, Braemar, Kirkgate, Chirnside, Duns, TD11 3XL, Scotland
email: custos.armorum@pobox.com

Dr C. van Driel-Murray, I.P.P., Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
email: C.V.Driel@frw.uva.nl

Dr. H. Ubl, A-3420 Kritzendorf, Schelhammergasse 64, Austria