HAPPY NEW YEAR!
If you're really lucky, this issue
will be more than a page long. See how I'm starting with useless
padding?
IMPERIAL POST
Those of you who still receive
Adlocvtio on paper need not worry about the latest postal rate
increase:
Members are covered by their dues as always; Ed Taylor of South
Carolina
has graciously donated some 1 cent stamps to the cause, and the Legion
will spring for the rest. But when your stamp supply runs out and
you send more, make sure they are 33-cent denomination (or 32 and 1 if
that’s what you have).
MEETING/WORKSHOP
A number of new contacts have
asked me when the next Legion meeting will be, so let's have one!
It will be on Saturday, January 23, from about 1 to 5 PM at Matthew and
Jane's house. Some of you have already gotten a note with
directions,
but if not and you need to know how to get here, just let me
know.
The workshop and sewing space will be available for whatever projects
you
may have, but if you are new and have nothing to work on, please come
anyway
to meet the Legion.
FIRST TRUMPET--MTA
Yes, it is that time again!
Pull on the wool and slather on the oil. March 20-21 is our next
return to Military (or “Mud”?) Through the Ages at Jamestown
Settlement,
VA. Most of you know this gig pretty well by now, but for those
who
don’t, it’s an assembly of about 30 historical camps ranging from us
Romans
up through the Viet Nam War. Groups can compete for prizes in
several
competitions (camp, demonstration, cooking, costume), although we don’t
generally compete. It is traditionally cold and wet, but we are
always
well-received and there are LOTS of visitors to talk to. I will
be
driving down on Friday the 19th as usual, and I’d like to know what
everyone
else’s plans are. If you have not been to this event before but
would
like to, we definitely need to make sure that you have enough clothing
and gear beforehand. Talk to me!
LEGO, LEGERE
Quintus and family got some books
for Christmas: Victor Hanson’s The Western Way of War (Greek
really,
but apparently a basic); Adrian Goldsworthy’s The Roman Army at War
100 BC to AD 200; and Connolly’s Ancient City. Jane
also
got Roman Women by J.P.V.D. Balsdon, and Ancient Roman
Gardens
by Linda Farrar. So far I have only gotten through most of
Connolly,
which was mentioned in a previous issue, and it really does have some
fascinating
stuff. Other reviews will follow as we have time to read!
Oh, and “Lego, Legere” has nothing
to do with the Legos that Olivia got from Aunt Dr. E, but we have been
making some great spaceships and robots.
TANGENT
You may already have heard that
Tom Kolb and I are working (sporadically) on Greek hoplite gear,
roughly
Persian War era (480 BC). If you want to get picky about
relevance
to this publication, Etruscan equipment would be very similar; in fact,
most of the artifacts we’ve seen so far have been Italian finds.
My Corinthian helmet (Thanks, Mom and Jane!) is due in a few weeks, and
I have finished the wood core of my hoplon. I will happily
furnish
more details to anyone who is interested, but rest assured that this
will
NOT supplant my obsession with the Imperial Roman army. Ain’t
starting
another group, neither, uh-uh, no way. Gotta tell you though, it
is WAY cool!
CALENDAR 1999--As always, contact Quintus if you hope to
attend
any event, especially if you need to borrow equipment.
February 13? --Lupercalia. Anyone wanna host a party?
March 20-21 --Military Through the Ages, Jamestown Settlement,
VA. Multi-period encampment with over 30 groups from the first
century
through the twentieth. Generally cold and wet, so if this is your
first time attending this event be sure you have me check your
cold-weather
clothing.
April 10-11 --Marching Through Time, Marietta Mansion, Glenn
Dale, MD. Also a multi-period event, not quite as big as MTA but
closer to home and warmer.
May 29-31 --SCA Quest for Wit or Wisdom, New Jersey. We
have been invited by the 3 Celtic cooks who attended Roman Days.
More details as they become available.
June 12-13 --ROMAN DAYS, Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD.
If you only get to one Roman event all year, this is the one!
Several
other groups will be joining Legio XX, and it will be bigger and better
than last time. Massed tacticals, Olympics, merchants, and
more.
You do not have to be dressed as a Roman to participate and have a
great
time!
July 31-Aug. 1 --Military Time Line event, Ft. Malden, Ontario
(just over the border from Detroit). George Metz attended this
last
year and enjoyed it. Bit of drive for most of us, but definitely
a good time of year to head north, eh? Is anyone seriously
interested?
Sept. 24-26 --Roman Military Equipment Conference, South Shields,
Eng. See the ROMEC website for details,
http://pobox.com/~jrmes/romec.htm
----------------------
Hey, 2 whole pages! Outa time. ADLOCVTIO Newsletter 20th Legion, Editor
Matthew Amt ---
Valete!