Roman conquerors had woolly socks

[Knight-Dragon]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4563337.stm

The sartorial elegance of the Italians has been shattered, with news that woolly socks helped their ancestors' conquest of northern England.

The evidence has emerged among archaeological objects found in the River Tees at Piercebridge, near Darlington in County Durham.

Among the items was an unusual Roman razor handle, made of copper alloy and in the shape of a human leg and foot.

The 5cm high foot is wearing a sandal with a thick woollen sock underneath.

According to Philippa Walton, a finds liaison officer at Newcastle University's Museum of Antiquities, the Romans may well have been putting comfort before style.

She said: "It is quite funny really that the soldiers were wearing these thick woolly socks.

"It could have been the fashion for a Roman soldier or it could have been because of the tough northern cold."

Ms Walton said that other discoveries from the period also appear to prove that style was the last thing on a Roman's mind or foot while on duty in the North East.

"There was a letter found at the Roman fort at Vindolanda, on Hadrian's Wall, from a soldier writing home asking for more socks," she said.

"This may suggest the soldiers were more concerned about keeping out the cold."

 

[Kosez]

They were just being practical, after conquering Britain thea returned to Italy, took they socks down, put fancy schmansy on, and started to act like Italinas do, ...

 

[FriendlyFire]

WOOT ?

Wool back then was rather expensive and worn by nobles and the wealthy class.
I believe most wore cheaper clothing material

 

[Plotinus]

Shocking stuff. Next we'll be told that the Romans liked to wear tracksuits and Burberry baseball caps...

 

[mrtn]

Nah, I think that the next great find will be ancient Scottish holes in the ground, which proves that the Romans invented golf.

 

[YNCS]

Soldiers have always put comfort ahead of style, especially when a long way from headquarters.

 

[North King]

Dear Gods, NO! You must be kidding, this SHATTERED my faith in Rome! Please tell me you're joking!!!

 

[Xen]

wonderful; yet another facet of how effective the Roman army was; dont just train your soldires to operate in all conditions, dont just give them armaments effective in all conditionsl but make sure they are snuggilly-warm in all conditions as well

If the Romans had known about electick blankets, I dont aoubt they would have givin them to thier northern soldires well. warm and snuggilly are always good things in the cold

on another nopte, dose this mean the Romans invented socks?

 

[mrtn]

...on another nopte, dose this mean the Romans invented socks?

Probably not.

 

[pawpaw]

And roman legions in Germania wore pants--you try wearing a tunic or toga in the winter--the draft is quite bad

 

[CruddyLeper]

Apparently the knitting observed on the bronze was herringbone, for those interested in ACCURATE Roman re-enactments.

Also, I'm a bit confused about the reference to the Vindolanda tablets; apparently the letter was thanking his wife for delivery of 2 pairs of socks, not asking for more.

 

[FriendlyFire]

And roman legions in Germania wore pants--you try wearing a tunic or toga in the winter--the draft is quite bad

They could always wear womens panties on there head ?
Like the Unisted states army

uh ..... thats not right

 

[blindside]

wonderful; yet another facet of how effective the Roman army was; dont just train your soldires to operate in all conditions, dont just give them armaments effective in all conditionsl but make sure they are snuggilly-warm in all conditions as well

If the Romans had known about electick blankets, I dont aoubt they would have givin them to thier northern soldires well. warm and snuggilly are always good things in the cold

Yes naturally the Romans are brilliant because no other army ever in history ever thought about giving their soldiers winter equipment. And if the Romans had tanks and rifles I am certain, because of great knowledge and insight of the Roman ways, that they would use them.

/sarcasm.

 

[Xen]

thats what I'm saying!


*dont be a hard ass if you cant see the irony made in such a comment by me; granted, it wasnt one of my better passes at humour, and far below par for my usual stuff, but my ususalt stuff beiung slightlly skewed to vulgarity, it cant make an apperence on thsi site; however, that still dosent give you a reasont boecome captain hardass of the USS. Jackass.