The Craftiness of Rome

[Bogue]

Popped up on another list

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247230/The-Roman-Army-Knife-Or-ingenuity-Swiss-beaten-1-800-years.html



Bloody Clever them Romanses

cheers
Bogue

[thorsson]

thats so cool who wants one im going to make it hehehaha

[Gaius Drustanus]

Yes. Legionary Marcus of the Sydney Ancients showed me his Roman (Swiss) army knife last Easter when I was over the ditch in Sydney for the Australasian Historical Reenactment Conferance. It was very Cool and a very popular artifact among both the Legionary and Auxillary Troops.

All the Australian reenactor Romans have one obtained or ordered as a group from a Living History supplier in Europe and Marcus offerred to source them too for the NZ scene.

But they were expensive for over here in New Zealand and I didn't get a chance to do any follow up (no doubt someone over here, an authenticity fascist undoubtedly, would have wanted to pick an pointless argument too with me about the historical accuracy of the artifact or some other headache).

[Gaius Drustanus]

Well when you meditate about this, its quite amazing archeological confirmation for Goscinny and Uderzo (who would have thunk it!) Next thing they will find an excavated Cheese Fondue Set (a nod to Conal).


Who knew the Swiss went back that far!


Shades of Asterix and Obelix.



Next thing we will hear that they sent mercenary guardsmen down to Italy to guard the Pontifex Maximus.

[conal]

No Silver, No Swiss.

[Gaius Drustanus]

This Knife apparently is not one a kind, according to info from the site armillum.com Similar instruments have been found in England, Bulgaria and Italy.

[Gaius Drustanus]

I was watching that awesum show with Baldrick in it, "Time Team" on SKY on Sunday night and that band of loons were digging the best preserved Roman Town in Britain, Venta Silurum or Caer Gwent, in South Wales. Just down the Roman road from the Caerleon, the old stomping grounds for the Second Legion Augusta before we were exiled and Banished to this Gods forsaken Insula Province on the remotest fringes of Imperium, Civilisation and Good Manners.

Venta Silurum is the "Marketplace of the Silures", the bunch of Blue painted uncouth celts who lived in those Chilly parts. Romanised now of course.

During the dig, a handle was found for a small very flash folding knife (the blade probably rusted away) carved to look like Grappling Gladiators (Gay!). Excellent handiwork. When I was a Kid these concealable instruments were known as Pocket knives (or maybe flick knives?), and as mentioned by T.T. were relatively common across the Roman World.

interesting

OOI Did any other Ancient, Dark Age or Medieval culture produce Swiss type (multi-instrument) or single bladed folding blade utility knives, say the Norse or Celt or whatever?, Anyone?

[Bogue]

And Rome did enquire:-

[Gaius Drustanus]

Awesome. thank you Bogue.
Interestingly found in the land of the Cantii (Kent), a Romano-Celtic Civus/Shire ceded to Hengist, Horsa and the Jutes by Vortigern and not unlikely to be prone to some cultural/technological continuity among its inhabitants.