Ancient Warfare Answers (416): What evidence is there for striped Egyptian headwear?
A comment exchange on FB led to today's question. Commenting on a cover of an issue of Ancient Warfare Magazine, Michael asked, "I still don’t know what evidence there is for the striped headwear. Is it a trope?" Jeffrey replied, "Now I am curious too. Maybe a topic for Ancient Warfare Answers Podcast to answer:" Ask, and you shall receive. Murray explores.
Support the Ancient Warfare podcast on Patreon! Support levels include the print magazine and online access to the entire back issue archive.
3 comments
Thank you, look forward to comments.🇦🇺
Roman legionary equipment – when marching on campaign, a legionary was required to carry a certain amount of equipment, apart from his personal weapons – tools for digging and chopping, some personal clothes and items, stakes for the marching camp, and a certain amount of grain ration etc. Gaius Marius comes down to us as the instigator for reducing the baggage train, and also making his legionaries somewhat independent within the century, to rely less on the previous dependence on military servants etc – except commanders and centurions.
So, when did this go out of fashion or requirement to carry such a load, and was digging a marching camp ever stopped?
In Egyptian iconography the colour blue was assiciated with divinity so would be the equivalent of a Roman wearing purple – treason. The striped headgear is mentioned in Winkinson (1836) where he says it’s a quilted helmet and the colours were green, red or black. No reference was given, other than Thebes, but it was more likely colours were still visible back then.