Strasbourg AD 357 by Raffaele D'Amato & Florent Vincent

Author:Raffaele D'Amato & Florent Vincent
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472833976
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

Weaponry

The quality of the Germanic weapons uncovered had revealed additional information on the ranks within the Alemannic confederation. The elite warriors such as kings, princes, optimates and their retinue were well armed. The better warriors wore brightly coloured and decorated clothing, horses, armour, helmets, shields and spears, axes and naturally swords and daggers. The warrior’s status was often demonstrated by the quality of the equipment carried on his person, which may have been booty from a vanquished enemy or a gift from a leader.

The best Germanic warriors were professionals within these retinues (those in royal service being known as ‘ring-givers’). They were long-haired swordsmen, well equipped by their wealthy masters; but in order to move quickly, they intentionally wore little armour. Their main weapons were, in addition to the long sword (spatha), axes, bows and arrows, spears and a short, single-edged dagger or a long dagger, the scramasax. The lance was the preferred weapon; while swords were probably less common, the optimates and the ring-givers certainly carried them.

Metal-forging technology and expert craftsmanship were much rarer among the Germanic tribes than in the Roman Empire, although there is evidence that the production and standardization of equipment had increased considerably in the first few centuries AD; the use of steel was known of, and spathae and javelin heads made of flexible steel were produced. In general, each man equipped himself as best he could. Of course, Alemannic production of sophisticated forged products, such as metal armour, helmets and swords, was certainly on a smaller scale than in Roman territory.

Bust of a young Germanic warrior, found at Welschbillig Castle, Germany. The castle was built on the site of a luxurious 4th-century AD Roman villa, which had 112 herms such as this one surrounding a decorated reflecting pool. This herm depicts a less Romanized young tribesman, who may have been captured from beyond the Rhine. The Welschbillig herms show distinctly different peoples, including Romans, Greeks, Celts, Germanics and deities too. It is believed that villa was imperial property, or housed the superintendent of the city walls. (Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier; author’s photo, courtesy of the museum)

Reconstruction of a Germanic chieftain and follower from the 4th–5th century. The helmets worn by the Alemanni at the time of Argentoratum could be simple Roman versions of spangenhelm (segmented) construction, or ridge helmets of the Intercisa–Dunapentele type acquired (possibly as booty) from the Roman army. Some of them were modified by adding mail along the edge, as shown in one example from St Irminen near Trier. (Reconstruction by Igor Dzis and Raffaele D’Amato)

In contrast to the Alemanni who formed the upper social classes, most Alemannic infantrymen had only a shield, with no armour or helmet, although after a victorious battle or raid they might be able to obtain these. Simple weapons like axes and knives were often made of non-forged iron. The less wealthy warriors might be armed with only a spear to accompany their shield. Basic clothing, made of wool, linen and wool-linen mix, comprised a tunic and trousers, over which a cloak was worn, sometimes made of fur.

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